keen, tracked winner, ridden 2f out, soon wandered under pressure and weakened
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in last place but in touch, switched right and headway approaching 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
Zaffaan is the tentative suggestion in a warm heat in which Pure Poetry looks likely to start a deserved favourite. The selection had to be withdrawn from his intended debut when playing up at the start but there was no sign of such shenanigans when he ran out an impressive winner at Ascot last time. There was a lot to like about the style of that performance, the second has won since and the third was due to race at Sandown on Thursday. This is tougher and he has faster ground to contend with but he looks progressive. Pure Poetry found top weight and the drop back to five in the Weatherbys Super Sprint against him but received plenty of credit for his performance. He just about sets the standard on form and will be fancied by many to land this prize. Deadly Encounter disappointed at Musselburgh last time and has a little to prove now but he did look useful on debut. Chicago Cop, Laahig and Dove Mews all won their sole starts well enough and all are open to considerable improvement. That makes this a tricky race to call but we were taken with Zaffaan's win and will back him to follow up.
Chicago Cop (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt and behind, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at York 6f 2yo mdn auc (4) gd in May beating Reve de Soleil (8-10) by 3l, 13 ran.
Zaffaan 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, led 2f out, clear when drifted left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (3) gs beating Rileyskeepingfaith (9-3) by 4l, 11 ran.
Deadly Encounter (IRE) 15-8 (8-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 3l behind Spin Cycle (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo stk (2) gf in Jun.
Laahig 9-2 (9-2) Missed break, outpaced towards rear, stayed on to lead post, won at Carlisle 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Jun beating Sloop Johnb (8-11) by a ns, 11 ran.
Pure Poetry (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 23, 2l behind Jargelle (8-6) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) gd.
Dove Mews 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Jun beating Arctic Freedom (9-0) by a nk, 15 ran.
