raced in near side trio, took keen hold, with leader in group, led group halfway and prominent overall, ridden and chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader in centre, led overall halfway, ridden and headed inside final 2f, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, weakened and lost 2nd towards finish
slight stumble start, led near side trio and well on terms, headed in group halfway, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, soon behind
raced near side, held up in close 3rd, headway over 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon clear, kept on strongly
led centre trio until halfway, chased overall leader and every chance, ridden 2f out, struggling over 1f out, plugged on into poor 2nd towards finish
raced in centre, always in rear, tailed off and eased final 2f
Paddy Pilley’s claim has helped Cheerfilly to a couple of victories at Leicester this month but she will have to defy a penalty here if she is to complete the hat-trick and there are question marks over the surface. Finishing Touch is less exposed having followed up a York win with a third at Newmarket while Salamah can probably be forgiven her comeback run in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot. MEDICEAN BALLET is proven on the ground and produced an eye-catching first run of the season at Sandown, when not unduly punished – she’ll strip fitter this evening.
Cheerfilly (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Tracked leader after 1f, led 4f out, quickened pace 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Leicester 7f hcp fll (4) gd in Jul beating Bahamian Bird (9-7) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Finishing Touch 9-4fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, switched left to challenge 1f out, never a threat, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Private Mission (9-1) at Newmarket 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Salamah (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Chased leaders pushed along halfway, weakened rapidly inside final 3f, last of 24, dist behind Con Te Partiro (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp lst fll (1) gf in Jun.
Seduce Me 10-3 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 5, 2 1/2l behind Miss Sheridan (9-3) at Carlisle 7f hcp fll (4) gd in Jun.
Medicean Ballet (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, plugged on in 4th inside final furlong, no threat, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Time Chaser (9-6) at Sandown 1m hcp fll (4) gf in Jun.
Hidden Charms (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Towards rear, field well strung out after 2f, well behind final 4f, last of 7, 17 1/2l behind Billesdon Bess (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp fll (3) gf in Jun.
