keen, set steady pace, quickened halfway, ridden when joined inside final furlong, headed briefly, ran on gamely
in touch, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
took keen hold, held up, headway to track winner halfway, ridden to join winner inside final furlong, led briefly, ran on
tracked winner until halfway, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, outpaced halfway, kept on towards finish
A few of these have reputations to repair, although it may well be they're not as good as first thought after impressing early doors. In the circumstances, it is tempting to go along with newcomer Mukhayyam, especially with the Stoute yard in such red-hot form. However, the yard does to tend to take its time with juveniles although it's interesting to see the Dark Angel colt pitched in here first time rather than a maiden. Temptation is just resisted though with PORTAMENTO, taken to put a poor effort when too keen in the Coventry Stakes behind him. He had previously beaten Estidhkaar with ease, the latter going on to land the Superlative Stakes at the July meeting in decisive fashion. It's doubtful if the form can be taken literally but it still reads very well. Fanciful Angel impressed when landing a Yarmouth maiden and looks a potential improver.
Bossy Guest (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Raced wide, held up, headway 3f out, ridden when weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Estidhkaar (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
Fanciful Angel (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) Tracked leaders going well, switched right and went 2nd over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear and ran on well, won at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Midlander (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Percy Alleline 5-4fav (8-12) Prominent, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Step To The Shears (8-11) at Salisbury 6f 2yo auc (3) gf in Jun.
Portamento (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 14th of 15, 14l behind The Wow Signal (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
Smaih (GER) 8-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 24l behind Estidhkaar (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
Mukhayyam Dark Angel colt out of Caster Sugar.
Amaze Me Aqlaam filly out of Princess Miletrian.
