tracked leaders, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd near finish, not reached winner
chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden, one pace final furlong
mid-division on outside, outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out
with leader, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on near finish
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, lost place 3f out, soon beaten
held up behind, ridden, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders
steadied start, held up behind, ridden, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders
It may be another fairytale ending for Rhuepunzel if Gerard Butler's filly makes it her fourth win in five starts this season, however we will side with Rakata ahead of Hula Ballew. The selection continues to stutter down the weights but Paul Cole's mare retains plenty of ability and should give punters a good run for their money today. She acts on quick ground and she may make them all go from what could be a decent draw. Musical Beat comes here in good form and won over course and distance earlier this year. Onatopp is better over shorter and possibly with more cut in the ground, whilst Wasalat needs to bounce back from a very average effort when last seen. Rhuepunzel is yet to race on ground this quick and the fear is that she may not let herself down fully on it, so of more interest for backers may be Sam's Secret whose winning run may not be over despite his below-par run last time out. Millestan stays well so should be rated as a live threat, especially as Henry Cecil doesn't send many up to North Yorkshire, however Rakata is fancied to land her first win of the season.
Millestan (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up behind, switched left 2f out, soon ridden and headway, ran on strongly and edged right inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Nice To Know (8-9) at Goodwood 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Rakata (USA) 25-1 (9-9) In touch, pressed winner and every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Fragrancy (9-2) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Sam's Secret 9-2fav (9-8) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no impression final 2f, 6th of 13, 6l behind Passion Fruit (9-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Aug.
Rhuepunzel 9-2 (9-5) Took keen hold tracking leaders, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m fll hcp (4) sft in Aug beating Duchess Royale (9-9) by 1l, 6 ran.
Musical Beat 13-2 (9-2) Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left and kept on final furlong, won at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Flying Valentino (8-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Lakshmi (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) 11th halfway, moderate headway final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Lacework (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Hula Ballew 16-1 (9-13) Mid-division centre, pushed along over 3f out, some headway final furlong, 8th of 15, 4l behind Observatory Star (9-6) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Society Music (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 8, shd behind Abbondanza (9-1) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Wasalat (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 15l behind Webbow (9-7) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (5) gs in Jun.
She's Our Lass (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, reminders and outpaced after 2f, ridden over 3f out, kept on to chase leaders until not much room over 1f out, one pace after, 4th of 9, 3l behind Cool Ebony (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Onatopp (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) In touch, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Pay Time (8-13) at Carlisle 7f fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.
