towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, hung right, no impression
refused to race
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, one pace
akward leaving stalls, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, ran on towards finish, not reach leading pair
chased winner throughout, every chance final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, effort and not clear run 2f out, ran on to chase leaders, not reach
stumbled at start, made virtually all, ridden approaching final furlong, withstood challenge 1f out, kept on gamely
Crimson Fern has scope for further improvement as a handicapper and is preferred to Strike Up The Band and Mac Gille Eoin. Malcolm Saunders' filly has improved in leaps and bounds this season and won her penultimate start here impressively from a 6lb lower mark. Connections understandably let their progressive filly take her chance in a Group 3 at Goodwood last time and she was far from disgraced. Strike Up The Band was a neck behind her over course and distance and meets on 3lbs better terms this afternoon. He should give another good account but remains vulnerable. Mac Gille Eoin was further back and disappointing but he ran a decent race in the Stewards Cup last weekend and would be a threat to all if able to reproduce his best form at this track for the first time. Dark Missile is smart at her best and could spring a surprise if a first time tongue tie has the desired effect but Crimson Fern is a less speculative option and is thus preferred.
New Freedom (BRZ) 33-1 (9-7) Raced centre, held up in touch, weakened halfway, soon beaten, 25th of 26, 15l behind Toms Laughter (8-3) at Ascot 5f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Bentong (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) refused to race in race won by Conquest (8-9) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf, 27 ran.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, quickened to lead just over 1f out, soon clear, ridden out readily, won at Kempton 5f lst stk (1) pol in Jun beating Cake (8-5) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mac Gille Eoin 20-1 (9-0) Held up stands side, headway and effort over 1f out, stayed on final furlong but not trouble leaders, 5th of 27, 3 1/2l behind Conquest (8-9) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Dark Missile 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 12l behind Intrepid Jack (9-3) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Evens And Odds (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Prominent on outside, ridden, effort over 1f out, not quicken, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Crimson Fern (9-0) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jul.
Fathom Five (IRE) 17-2 (9-11) Led stands' side, headed over 1f out, one pace under pressure, 5th of 16, 3l behind Buachaill Dona (9-12) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
The Trader (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, moderate headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 7l behind Crimson Fern (9-0) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jul.
Crimson Fern (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Held up in rear on rail, never on terms, 8th of 12, 7l behind Enticing (8-10) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Strike Up The Band 8-1 (8-9) Led far side group and overall leader, headed over 1f out, kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 26, 1 1/2l behind Toms Laughter (8-3) at Ascot 5f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Ebraam (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Raced centre, slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous, 24th of 26, 14l behind Toms Laughter (8-3) at Ascot 5f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Fyodor (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Raced far side, steadied in rear, never dangerous, 22nd of 26, 12l behind Toms Laughter (8-3) at Ascot 5f hcap (2) gf in Jul.