in touch, driven and outpaced 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
went right start, early reminders, behind and soon outpaced, lost touch when broke down and pulled up 3f out
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong
early reminders, soon in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong
in touch on outside, outpaced 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, lost place 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra well inside final furlong
This Listed contest can go the way of STARGAZE who is given narrow preference over Di Stefano and Businessman. Trainer Andrew Balding has his string in good form and Stargaze can provide him with another winner. He is eased in grade after not being beaten far at Goodwood in a Group 2 contest last month and eased into this company he sets the standard for the others. Di Stefano has got plenty of placed form in this grade and the race he contested last time has thrown up plenty of winners. Businessman is upped in class after winning a maiden in good style at York earlier in the month. It is hard to know what he achieved that day and he does not hold any fancy entries, but it was still a solid effort and it will be interesting to see if he can build on it today. Skylla won a handicap over 5f at Haydock last month and this extra furlong is not sure to play to her strengths. Exotic Beauty was a recent winner over this course and distance and she is another to consider, but we will stick with Stargaze who looks the one to beat.
Arabian Pride 7-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Rakaan (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Businessman 13-2 (9-3) Made virtually all, hung left under pressure from well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, won at York 6f 2yo mdn (2) gf beating Noble Greek (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Di Stefano 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, headway over 2f out, effort when not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 20, 8l behind Midnight Martini (8-6) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Hold Your Colour (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, outpaced halfway, switched right and headway on outside over 2f out, led 1f out, edged left, ran on well, won at Ripon 6f 2yo aut (2) gf beating Exceedingly Bold (8-11) by 4l, 12 ran.
Breathless Kiss (USA) 6-1 (8-6) Prominent, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Doncaster 5f 2yo nov fll (4) gs in Jul beating High Spice (9-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Exotic Beauty 9-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden 2f out, hung right under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Ripon 6f 2yo stk (3) gf beating Hafawa (9-0) by shd, 6 ran.
Skylla 3-1fav (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, won at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (2) gd beating Duchess Dora (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Stargaze (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on outside, with winner driven and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on well until outpaced final 100 yards, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Dick Turpin (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo stks (1) gd in Jul.
