slowly into stride, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, pushed along to chase leaders, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always held
chased leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, soon weakened
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well
Fillies don't have a great record in this so Leicester winner Jessie's Spirit is probably worth opposing, while Son Du Silence was well beaten at Salisbury last time. Three of Verbeeck's four runs have been over the minim trip and he's also starting to look a little exposed so we'll concentrate on the unbeaten pair Ralphy Boy and HOT SUGAR. The former has just scraped home at Catterick and Haydock so far and has to concede 5lb to Kevin Ryan's colt, who will have learned plenty from his debut win at Musselburgh and will relish this extra furlong on breeding. He gets the vote.
Ralphy Boy (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Made all, set steady pace, ridden and joined over 1f out, asserted near finish, won at Haydock 6f 2yo nov stk (4) gf in Jun beating Silverheels (9-5) by nk, 3 ran.
Hot Sugar (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden inside final furlong, soon pressed , kept on gamely, won at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun beating First Fast Now (8-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Verbeeck 9-4fav (9-2) Pressed winner, ridden over 1f out, hung right under pressure inside final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Excelette (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo stks (3) gf in Jul.
Son Du Silence (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) Led, switched left after 1f, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Redact (8-9) at Salisbury 6f nov auc stks 2yo (5) gf in Jul.
Jessie's Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Leicester 6f 2yo flls mdn auc stks (5) gf in Jul beating Lollina Paulina (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
