tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace in 3rd inside final furlong
held up in last pair, headway towards far side of group chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right and ran on strongly inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced solo on near side rail, never quite on terms and always playing catchup, no chance
chased leading pair, ridden to challenge inside final 2f, 2nd and every chance over 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong
The last three winners of this have all defied a penalty and CARDSHARP can do likewise. Mark Johnston’s tough juvenile had already been placed in the Woodcote and Norfolk Stakes before beating U S Navy Flag, Invincible Army and Grand Koonta in the July Stakes at Newmarket and that form is already working out. Headway was only beaten a head in the Coventry Stakes so will be a big danger if handling the easier surface as he receives 3lb from the selection. Nebo was behind the latter at Ascot but then went close in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, when Bullington Bandit and Etefaaq were behind, so can’t be ignored. Barraquero was third to Tuesday’s impressive winner Expert Eye on debut and then won easily at Chepstow and he has the most scope of these.
Cardsharp 8-1 (9-0) Unruly prior to start, led centre trio, challenged and hung badly left to far side group over 1f out, ridden to lead final 150 yards, kept on gamely, won at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul beating U S Navy Flag (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Barraquero (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon quickened clear, very easily, won at Chepstow 6f stks (4) gd in Jul beating Airshow (9-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
Bullington Bandit (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Awkward on way to post, chased leaders, pushed along and still challenging 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Gustav Klimt (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Etefaaq (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance, edged left inside final furlong, weakened soon after, 8th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Gustav Klimt (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Green Power 10-1 (9-8) Led, hard driven when pressed over 1f out, headed last strides, no extra, 2nd of 12, hd behind Staxton (9-2) at Haydock 6f stks (4) gf in Jul.
Headway 33-1 (9-1) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 18, hd behind Rajasinghe (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Nebo (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hung left and ran on well inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 10, hd behind Gustav Klimt (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Grand Koonta (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Raced in centre trio, some headway final furlong, never on terms, 8th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Cardsharp (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Invincible Army (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Cardsharp (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
U S Navy Flag (USA) 10-1 (9-0) 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Cardsharp (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
