led to 2f out, chased winner to approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
slow into stride, held up, bumped halfway, effort center to press leaders 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader until not clear run over 2f out, gradually weakened
keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, clear when wandered inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up, effort and close up 3f out, outpaced 2f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner approaching final furlong, no impression
keen hold, tracked leaders, driven 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, weakened over 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
Asset has a progressive profile and is taken to follow up his recent Yarmouth success at the main expense of Close To You and Kilworth. The selection stepped up on his promising debut effort when landing a Yarmouth maiden in decent fashion. That form has since been franked by the runner-up and, with further improvement to come for this step up in trip, the son of Marju is taken to follow up. Mick Channon's Yasoodd was disappointing in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last month and may now be best watched. A bigger threat may come from Opera Cape, who has progressed with each start and would not mind any rain that falls. Rising Cross lacks the scope for improvement of some of her rivals but should again run her usual good race, without quite being good enough, while Saabiq needs to step up considerably on the form shown when winning her maiden at Yarmouth to justify her position here let alone her entry in the Fillies' Mile. Close To You has been well placed by trainer Terry Mills to win his last three and has to be respected but this looks tougher, while the maiden Kilworth is clearly going the right way and has to be considered. There was plenty to like about the way that Asset won at Yarmouth though and he gets the vote to follow up in this company.
Asset (IRE) 7-4fav (8-12) Soon led, shaken up 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Yarmouth 6f nov stk (5) gf in Jun beating Campbeltown (8-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Close To You (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 7f 2yo aut (3) sft in Jul beating Silent Times (8-8) by 5l, 10 ran.
Kilworth (IRE) 1-2fav (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Araafa (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Jul.
Opera Cape 6-1 (8-11) Pulled hard early, tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and in command over 1f out, ran on well, won at Goodwood 7f 2yo mdn (2) gs in Jul beating True Cause (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Yasoodd 5-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 4l behind Sir Percy (8-11) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul.
Rising Cross 14-1 (8-8) Bumped start, chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Nasheej (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd.
Saabiq (USA) 8-1 (8-9) Led 1f, remained close up, led again over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Military Cross (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
