took keen hold, led early, tracked leader, closed 2f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, rallied but always held
steadied start, took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and always holding on
held up last, driven along 2f out, soon beaten
took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along 3f out, went moderate 3rd over 1f out
soon slight lead, ridden over 3f out, headed just inside final 2f, weakened soon after
Nonrunner
Victoria Reel broke her maiden tag at the sixth time of asking last time and although having received an 8lb hike for that victory, she could still be on the upgrade. Stalking Shadow looked far from straight forward at Thirsk when sent off at short odds. He drifted over onto the stands side from the far side and even beforehand had looked a tricky colt. Manhattan Dream started the season a maiden and is 4lb higher for her recent success. She looks a filly on the upgrade and rates a big danger to the selection in receipt of 7lb. Luca Cumani's handicap debutants always are worthy of respect although Acrostic disposed of a moderate field last time. Nice Wee Girl has been campaigned over six and seven furlongs mostly so this could be regarded as an experiment by connections. Victoria Reel is given the nomination to land it.
Acrostic 2-1 (9-0) In touch, smooth headway 2f out, led and edged left over 1f out, pushed out, won at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Jun beating Alsace Lorraine (8-9) by 1l, 8 ran.
Stalking Shadow (USA) 1-5fav (9-3) Made all, clear when hung badly right 2f out, stayed on, comfortably, won at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul beating Ceili Mor (8-12) by 11l, 10 ran.
King's Wonder 33-1 (7-12) Bumped start, tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, hung left and faded over 1f out, 10th of 17, 10l behind Blue Sky Basin (8-5) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Ballora (FR) 12-1 (9-3) Went left start, mid division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Desert Chill (9-7) at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
Ben Ami 16-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 42l behind Tasheba (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Victoria Reel 5-2 (9-5) Held up, smooth headway 2f out, shaken up and switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven clear, won at Salisbury 7f fll hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Tableau Vivant (9-8) by 4l, 5 ran.
Nice Wee Girl (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Uneasy on gradients, never travelling in rear, pushed along and struggling straight, 6th of 7, 9l behind Iguazu Falls (8-13) at Epsom 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Jun.
Manhattan Dream (USA) 7-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, led 3f out, driven out, won at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Midnight Muse (9-1) by 1l, 6 ran.