held up, traverling on bit when switched right to wide outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, just held
chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong
led on rail, ridden and header over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, driven and ran on under pressure final furlong
chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
In a good race, Tax Free is just selected ahead of Ashdown Express and Desert Lord. Tax Free makes a quick bid to follow up his tidy Leicester win, and the Stewards' Cup fifth looks to be the one to beat here now that he looks to have got his act together for the season. Ashdown Express, who won this race last year, is justifiably the highest-rated of the field and he holds very good claims, having posted very good efforts in some of the season's top sprints, while Desert Lord was only just denied in a Group 3 event at The Curragh last time and, particularly if cheekpieces eke out a touch more improvement, he can go well too. The remainder are certainly no mugs in what is a good race but, once again, the vote stays with Tax Free.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 48-1 (9-2) in touch, effort halfway, kept on until no extra inside last, 8th of 17, 5l behind Marchand D'or (8-11) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Beckermet (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 9l behind Baltic King (9-0) at Beverley 5f lst stk (1) gs in Aug.
Desert Lord 9-2 (9-3) Attempted to make all, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 10, hd behind Benbaun (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Tax Free (IRE) 8-11fav (8-7) Chased leader, led halfway, edged right over 1f out, ran on, won at Leicester 5f stk (4) gf beating Dixie Belle (8-1) by 3l, 7 ran.
Paradise Isle 11-2 (8-13) Charged gate and slowly away, in rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind The Kiddykid (9-0) at Chester 6f lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Donna Blini 13-2 (8-8) Prominent, ridden and challenged over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 18, 2 1/2l behind La Cucaracha (8-11) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
