held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held post
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, soon led, hard ridden and under pressure inside final furlong, just held on
held up behind, chased leaders halfway, weakened over 3f out
in rear, headway to chase leaders 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
went right start, led, ridden and headed over 2f out, faltered when weakening over 1f out, soon eased
held up and pulled hard, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
The drop in trip will suit SABOTAGE and he is preferred to Akmal, Kris Kin Line and the progressive Antigua Sunrise. Mark Johnston's son of Halling was far from disgraced in the Queen's Vase, in the end finishing ninth behind stablemate Holberg. Now dropped back in trip and class, this typical Mark Johnston galloper should give it a bold bid from the front. Akmal is in good form and lost little caste in defeat last time at Salisbury but his handicap mark continues to edge up, whilst the same applies to the filly Antigua Sunrise but she may still have more to give off an 8lb loftier perch. Kris Kin Line makes his handicap bow in a tough race but a mark of 77 may be lenient, Talimos goes without the blinkers that were tried when flopping in the Queen's Vase, whilst Deauville Flyer and Kudu Country have a bit to find with Antigua Sunrise on recent clashes. The step up in trip could suit Astrodiva, whose dam was a 14 furlong winner at four years of age, however it is Sabotage who is fancied to come out on top.
Sabotage (UAE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression final 2f, 9th of 14, 13l behind Holberg (9-1) at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Akmal 9-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders until lost place over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden and headway, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Classic Vintage (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Talimos (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Behind, reminders 8f out, struggling final 3f, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 21l behind Holberg (9-1) at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Antigua Sunrise (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, held on gamely, won at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun beating Omokoroa (8-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Kris Kin Line (IRE) 8-13fav (8-6) Led after 2f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, joined and looked in trouble entering final furlong, ran on well and in command final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jun beating Pyrus Time (8-11) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Astrodiva 7-4 (8-10) Pushed along in touch, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Whispering Gallery (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) gd in Jun.
Kudu Country (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Antigua Sunrise (8-12) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Deauville Flyer 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Antigua Sunrise (8-12) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
