led early, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led narrowly approaching 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed narrowly approaching 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, kept on gamely
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch, pushed along and lost place over 4f out
ASTRAL FLOWER is the obvious improver and we're happy to take a chance on Sir Michael Stoute's charge; Shelfah and likely-favourite Bona Fortuna may provide the stiffest opposition. This half-sister to Redwood is out of a mare who is related to Dancing Brave so there is some indication there that this longer trip will suit and given the way she ran on to the line at Yarmouth last time it would enforce that view. A mark of 69 for such a well-bred filly looks potentially very lenient and a bold run is expected. Talking of lenient marks, Bona Fortuna improved markedly on his reappearance/handicap bow when dotting up at Brighton. The longer trip should be no barrier for him, neither should his 6lb penalty, but this looks a stronger race. Aegean Destiny represents a yard in good form and is fairly handicapped, Trojan Gift is a potential improver and needs a market check, whilst the step back up in trip will suit Battle Study. Shelfah has become frustrating to follow and despite a solid level of form she looks high enough in the weights now racing off a mark of 70, so with Crystal Gale not seemingly improving and hopes just rested on this longer trip, we are happy to side with the unexposed Astral Flower.
Shelfah (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Raced keenly in mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, slightly short of room, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 2l behind Love Action (9-0) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Astral Flower 11-4 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, switched outside over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Lucky Breeze (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf in May.
Battle Study (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along 4f out, weakened entering final final, 6th of 7, 15l behind Robens Rock (9-2) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Bona Fortuna 8-1 (9-0) Made all, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and stayed on strongly from over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May beating Mr Harmoosh (9-3) by 6l, 9 ran.
Aegean Destiny 11-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Ice Diva (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Trojan Gift (USA) 28-1 (9-3) Held up in 5th, pushed along 3f out, went poor 4th 1f out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Pass Muster (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in May.
Crystal Gale (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Saint Thomas (8-13) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
