tracked leader, driven to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, soon carried left, stayed on well
led, steady pace, quickened over 2f out, hung left under pressure inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra towards finish
went left start, tracked leader, switched left to challenge over 1f out, slightly bumped inside final furlong, ran on to lead closing stages (no time taken)
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A competitive contest with all six having enjoyed success on the racecourse and it is to BALLISTA that we give the vote ahead of Avonmore Star and Fifth Avenue. It is not a race to be dogmatic about, with four of the field unexposed, but Ballista perhaps made more of an eyecatching debut when winning on good to soft at Haydock last month. The step up in trip and faster ground both look positives here given his pedigree and he is taken to follow-up. The most solid yardstick is surely Fifth Avenue, and Jamie Osborne's filly has run five decent races in defeat since winning a maiden auction at Bath less than two months ago. She won't be easy to beat but we do at least know her capabilities. Avonmore Star landed a Goodwood maiden over this trip last time and should handle fast ground, so with the yard's juveniles still firing we anticipate a bold showing. Crown Prosecutor was doing all his best work at the finish when winning on debut and should relish conditions, and that looked potentially stronger form than either Excelebration's Doncaster win, or the form shown so far by Saucy Buck. A good race can go to Ballista.
Avonmore Star 7-1 (9-3) Always prominent, led over 2f out, driven clear entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in May beating Numeral (9-3) by 3l, 13 ran.
Ballista (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Took keen hold early, settled tracking leaders, effort between horses going well when bumped over 1f out, soon challenging, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Haydock 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs in May beating Royal Exchange (9-3) by nk, 6 ran.
Crown Prosecutor (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Steadied start, tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in May beating Sonning Rose (8-6) by nk, 15 ran.
Fifth Ave 4-1 (8-11) Held up 4th, effort on outside 2f out, soon ridden and not quicken, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Bilko Pak (9-5) at Kempton 6f 2yo nov stks (4) pol.
Saucy Buck (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Always behind, ridden and struggling halfway, 8th of 9, 7l behind High Award (9-0) at Epsom Downs 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf.
Excelebration (IRE) 4-6fav (8-12) Went right start, soon with leader, led over 2f out, quickened clear approaching final furlong, readily, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf beating Belgian Bill (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
