It is often best to stay with those towards the top-end of the handicap in nurseries and will stay mainly true to that principal in selecting Stage Acclaim ahead of Barraland and Avertitop. The form of Stage Acclaim's track sixth last time has been boosted since by the runner-up finishing second in the Coventry Stakes. He is already a winner too and seems to have a fair enough profile for this contest. Barraland found the step up to Listed class beyond him last time but he must be held in some regard and this is a more-realistic level. Ben is consistent and has at least shown that he can act on good to soft, while Avertitop looks open to improvement and is another to consider. That last comment also applies to Sheik'N'Knotsterd but Ocean Transit's win last time came in a seller. Reverting to our earlier statement, then, the selection is, once again, Stage Acclaim.
Aaim To Storm (USA) 50-1 (9-1) Chased leaders over 3f, 13th of 20, 9l behind Henrythenavigator (9-1) at Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led for 1f, stayed prominent, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 7l behind Hatta Fort (8-12) at Windsor 5f nov stk (5) gf in Jun.
Barraland 12-1 (9-1) Close 2nd to halfway, soon weakened, last of 7, 12l behind Pencil Hill (9-1) at Curragh 5f 2yo lst stk gf in May.
Ellemujie 18-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway when switched right 2f out, led 1f out, edged left well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Jun beating Cosmic Art (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ben 11-2 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 5l behind Sofia's Star (8-13) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Jun.
Ballycroy Boy (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Led for 1f, lost place and last when raced awkwardly 2f out, last of 7, 18l behind Eileen's Violet (8-6) at Windsor 5f 2yo stk (2) gd in May.
Avertitop 9-2 (9-3) Held up, ridden well over 2f out, slightly outpaced, kept on final furlong, no impression on leaders, 4th of 11, 3l behind Concertmaster (9-3) at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Jun.
Sheik'n'knotsterd 8-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not pace of leaders, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Dubai Dynamo (8-9) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Jun.
