upset in stalls and dwelt, held up in rear, headway towards far side of group and plenty to do over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, no chance to reach winner
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leading pair, 2nd entering final 2f, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
raced keenly, chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places close home
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, one pace and no impression when ran green inside final furlong
in touch near side, pushed along halfway, kept on final furlong, went never nearer 3rd close home
raced freely led and set good pace, headed and weakened rapidly 2f out, soon behind, eased
Knockout Blow improved to finish runner-up at Chester last time and that looks stronger form than Shaheen and Astraea’s placed efforts. Jockey bookings suggest Knowing Glance is preferred to stablemate and fellow newcomer International Man while Don Pepe is related to several winners. But ARBALET is a 370,000 euros purchase and a half-brother to a winner in France and Hugo Palmer’s colt may prove good enough to make a winning start.
Arbalet (IRE) Dark Angel colt out of Miss Beatrix.
Dark Freedom (IRE) Canford Cliffs colt out of Arctic Freedom.
Don Pepe (IRE) Havana Gold colt out of Woodmaven.
International Man Epaulette colt out of Right Answer.
Knockout Blow 10-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Headway (9-5) at Chester 6f mdn stks (2) gf in May.
Knowing Glance (IRE) Kodiac colt out of Shauna's Princess.
Astraea 20-1 (9-0) Always prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Dance Diva (9-0) at Redcar 6f fll stks (5) gd in May.
Cathie's Dream (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt raced wide close up after 1f, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 33 1/4l behind Rebel Assault (9-0) at Catterick 5f fll stks (5) gf in May.
Shaheen (IRE) 5-2 (9-2) Went right start, led, ridden 2f out, headed final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Collingham Park (9-2) at Ripon 6f stks (5) gs in Jun.