led, ridden headed and weakened quickly over 1f out
in rear, out paced halfway, stayed on well final furlong
prominent, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong
in touch, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
SUPPLICANT sets the standard and the Windsor Castle Stakes runner-up had a nice canter round here last week in preparation for this tougher test. Hoku loves soft ground as she showed with a demolition job at Windsor and any further rain would be in her favour. Ventura Mist, an excellent runner-up to Fig Roll in a Newmarket Listed race in June, didn't really get competitive in a big sales race at York on Thursday and is much better than that. Legend Rising looked a smart prospect earlier in the season and something looked amiss when last of three on Polytrack at Kempton. Riverboat Springs, runner-up to Thunder Strike in a Listed event at Epsom, was well beaten in the Coventry Stakes on his only subsequent start. Northern Water was engaged at Beverley yesterday.
Legend Rising (IRE) 4-6fav (9-7) Steadied start, held up last, ridden and no response well over 1f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong, last of 3, 9l behind Lady Frances (8-6) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Riverboat Springs (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 13l behind War Command (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
Supplicant 1-20fav (9-5) Made all, pushed clear final furlong, easily,, won at Ripon 6f 2yo stk (3) gd beating Milly's Secret (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 2 ran.
Hoku (IRE) 11-10fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, forged clear, comfortable, won at Windsor 6f 2yo stks (5) sft beating Laurelita (9-0) by 7l, 13 ran.
Ventura Mist 12-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to chase leaders near side halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 19, 8l behind Haikbidiac (8-11) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Northern Water 3-1fav (8-10) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd well over 1f out, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on (hand timed), won at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf beating City Zen (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
