soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra and lost 3 places inside final furlong
dwelt, soon recovered to race in mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
in touch, went 2nd approaching 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd close home
tracked leader, short of room over 3f out, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
keen and held up towards rear, switched left 2f out, headway soon after, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
in rear, ridden halfway, edged right and kept on, never nearer
close up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
The booking of Frankie Dettori for SPECIAL QUALITY catches the eye and he can carry top-weight to victory here; Drift and Dream and Danzoe may provide the stiffest opposition. Robert Cowell and Frankie Dettori have a 38% strike-rate when teaming up together in the last five seasons and this Elusive Quality gelding looks to have a strong chance on the form book anyway. He seemed to appreciate the drop back to the minimum trip when winning at Southwell and on the face of it a mark of 72 looks fair with the second running well off 68 since. Galatian's form with Deacon Blues looks very strong so he needs a market check on this return to action, Drift And Dream is more exposed but this filly is consistent and rates better than at Newmarket last month, whilst Danzoe has been in good form this year but just seems to be struggling to convert places into wins. Final Turn's effort behind Belinsky at Nottingham is solid and he looks speedy enough for this trip, a comment that certainly applies to Pherousa but she only has one win to her name from 15 starts. At the foot of the weights it wouldn't be wise to ignore the unexposed filly Force To Spend with JP Guillambert back in the plate, however the safer option looks to be Special Quality.
Special Quality (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Made all, clear entering final furlong, eased close home, easily, won at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) fbs in May beating Ravenfield (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Galatian 7-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Deacon Blues (9-3) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Drift And Dream 11-10fav (9-1) Awkward leaving stalls, keen, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Tom Folan (8-5) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Danzoe (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, ran on well inside final to go 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Perfect Blossom (8-7) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Final Turn 6-1 (9-0) Pressed leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Belinsky (9-4) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Pherousa 9-4fav (9-1) Chased leaders, switched right well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just held, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Lucky Flyer (9-5) at Bath 5f fll hcp (5) gf.
Itwasonlyakiss (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Held up and behind, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, never troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 13l behind Imperial Delight (9-1) at Brighton 6f mdn stks (5) gf in May.
Force To Spend 9-2 (9-1) Soon outpaced and driven along in 5th, reminders 3f out, no impression until stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Boga (8-3) at Chepstow 5f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
