Stage Gift is our selection with Kandidate and Spanish Moon the most likely dangers. Fitness is obviously the concern in relation to Stage Gift after such an absence from the course but were he to run to anywhere near his ability, he should prove too hot to handle on a surface that holds few fears. Kandidate hasn't been seen out for a while. He won well at Kempton in listed grade but his follow up at Newmarket was just too bad to be true. Spanish Moon didn't show his true form in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and would be a different proposition if learning to switch off early in his races. Bushman has been a credit to his trainer but would be doubtful if the ground remains fast. Many Volumes deserves as change of luck after finding one too good on five of his last six starts. Charlie Farnsbarns appears adaptable as far as going is concerned but Escape Route has proved expensive to follow and looks to be in the twilight zone between listed class and handicaps. Tell is not out of this if the step back up in trip works the oracle. All-in-all, a race that revolves around the fitness of STAGE GIFT and we are prepared to take it on trust today.
Kandidate 10-1 (8-12) Led, quickened over 3f out, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 7l behind Phoenix Tower (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Bushman 7-4fav (9-2) Mid-division, headway to lead 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, readily, won at Sandown 1m hcap (3) sft in May beating Little White Lie (9-4) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fight Club (GER) 40-1 (9-8) Started slowly, in touch halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 29, well behind Mr Aviator (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Many Volumes (USA) 17-2 (9-5) Raced keenly, tracked winner, edged right inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Supaseus (8-11) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f lst hcp (1) frm in Jun.
Stage Gift (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) 7th of 9, 5l behind Musical Way (8-10) at Longchamp 1m 2f Yorks Oaks (1) sft in Oct.
Tell 12-1 (9-0) Chased leader on outside, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 6l behind Major Cadeaux (9-5) at Haydock 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Spanish Moon (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Took keen hold early, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 13l behind Macarthur (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Charlie Farnsbarns (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led narrowly just over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Smokey Oakey (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in May.
Escape Route (USA) 6-1 (9-7) Held up in mid-division, 7th straight, soon ridden and struggling, 8th of 10, 10l behind Emirates Skyline (9-10) at Epsom 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jun.
Bahia Breeze 16-1 (9-6) Chased winner, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Lady Gloria (9-6) at Epsom 1m 1f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
