held up in last pair, pushed along and some headway on outside over 2f out, never reached leaders, 5th and no impression final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd halfway, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd 1f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader until halfway, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish
stated slowly, took keen hold and held up in last pair, not clearest of runs over 2f out, no impression when in the clear over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, not clear run and switched left inside final 2f, chased leader 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won going away
Sebastian Beach won over this trip at Sandown last time, beating Cosette who runs earlier on the card. Statsminster is clearly improving having got off the mark at Bath and followed up off a 5lb higher mark at Newmarket while Gallic Destiny came up against a well-treated rival at Haydock last month. Mountain Kingdom went very close at Yarmouth last week but appeared to appreciate the easier ground on that occasion. BUTTON DOWN will be popular at stud if she manages to win a race and this looks her big chance. She's been a bit unlucky not to open her account so far and this step up in trip should suit as she's a half-sister to the useful Model Pupil, who stays 2m - her dam won a Listed race over 1m6f. Norse Star is preferred to Taws of the others.
Button Down 3-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, went 4th over 2f out, ridden 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Fiery Sunset (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jul.
Sebastian Beach (IRE) 10-3 (9-7) Raced keenly, led for 2f, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, edged right close home, won at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul beating Cosette (9-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Norse Star (IRE) 50-1 (7-11) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, last of 13, 32l behind Double Bluff (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Gallic Destiny (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Maid In Rio (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Statsminister 16-1 (9-6) Led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Indira (9-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Mountain Kingdom (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Close up, went 3rd 4f out, ridden to challenge winner over 2f out, driven and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Needless Shouting (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Taws 9-2 (8-5) Tracked leader, led after 2f and ran wide on paddock bend, headed 9f out, tracked leader until 8f out, tracked leaders, rallied and switched right over 1f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong, keeping on when badly hampered and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Sebastian Beach (9-7) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
