always in rear, never a danger
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
reared start, soon chasing leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
led, hampered and lost place on bend soon after start, outpaced
chased leaders and keen, ridden 3f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
soon led, ridden soon after halfway, one pace when headed inside final furlong
Spirit of Chester can make the journey from Middleham pay off, with Sunset Dreamer, Golden Asha and Canary Dancer expected to fight it out for the places. Spirit of Chester has been given an easy task here after some commendable efforts in much better company, and it will be a major surprise if she does not take advantage. Her second to Jewel In The Sand in the Albany Stakes at Ascot last June and a third to Soar in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York in August suggest that she is head and shoulders above this opposition. The daughter of Lend A Hand was in need of the run on her return at Leicester last month, finishing last of the nine runners, but seven furlongs on a stiff track was a big ask on her return, and this faster six will suit her much better on this her first outing for Mark Johnston. Of the remainder, Sunset Dreamer should fare better over this shorter trip but is only selling class, while Golden Asha has shown her best form with cut in the ground. Canary Dancer is fully exposed and makes even less appeal, and really, it is hard to avoid the claims of Spirit of Chester who can prove that she has trained on.
Sunset Dreamer (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Led, headed approaching 2f out, hampered and switched right soon after, kept on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Homme Dangereux (8-8) at Brighton 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (6) frm in Jun.
Mulberry Lad (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 10l behind Orpen Wide (9-0) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Pagan Quest 20-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 16l behind Kenmore (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Canary Dancer 33-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge inside final 2f, chance over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Young Valentino (9-0) at Lingfield 6f mdn aut stk (5) pol.
Golden Asha 4-1 (8-7) Held up, smooth headway over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 10, 7l behind Downland (8-7) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (5) frm in Jun.
Spirit of Chester (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Pulled hard, chased leaders, chased winner over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 15l behind Hachita (8-9) at Leicester 7f fll stk (2) gf in May.
