in rear and in touch, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear and in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
DISTAIN made her debut at Ascot earlier this month and looked a very nice prospect when runner-up to French Dressing. She's in the Ribblesdale and will need to win this comfortably to justify that entry. Suzi Icon hasn't been capable of finding a finishing burst in both starts over 1m4f so Mark Johnston drops her in trip, which her pedigree suggests will suit. Skiddaw Valleys followed a decent debut over this track and trip on fast ground before finding a mile on soft going at Hamilton against her. Midlight has started a short-priced favourite in two four-runner events over a mile on the all-weather but has only stayed on at one pace.
Midlight 11-10fav (8-12) Tracked winner throughout, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, well held inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Inexorable Tide (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (5) in Apr.
Skiddaw Valleys 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 28l behind More Mischief (8-10) at Hamilton 1m mdn stks (5) sft.
Smooth Operator Azamour colt out of Teggiano.
Distain 9-2 (8-12) Took keen hold early, held up towards rear, pushed along and headway on outside over 2f out, chased leading pair 2f out, every chance 1f out, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, never going pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind French Dressing (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2f fll mdn stks (4) gd.
Suzi Icon 8-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, one pace when not much room on rail well over 1f out, plugged on but no threat after, 5th of 11, 4l behind Sherry (9-9) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf.
Sigurd (GER) Sholokhov gelding out of Sky News.