mid-division on outside, ridden and no headway over 1f out, weakened
held up in mid-division, closer over 3f out, switched right inside final 2f, headway on outside over 1f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, soon ridden and every chance, no extra towards finish
chased leaders on outside, ridden and weakened over 2f out, soon behind and eased final furlong
chased leaders on outside, weakened over 1f out
held up in mid-division on inside, headway when not clear run over 1f out until inside final furlong, ran on, not quite going pace to challenge
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and struggling in rear over 2f out, no headway final furlong
soon switched left to inside, held up towards rear, some headway and raced awkwardly over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong
held up in last pair, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on into 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leader until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden on outside over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders on inside, switched right well over 1f out, soon 2nd, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, pressed inside final furlong, ran on gamely and on top when rider dropped whip towards finish
This may not be the strongest Listed race ever contested. James Fanshawe runs two and both have decent claims as Spirit Raiser didn't enjoy soft going in the Royal Hunt Cup while Esteemable has been in very good form in lesser races. Marco Botti is also doubly represented with Brandybend preferred to Alfajer, who may be better on the all-weather and hasn't raced since March. Black Cherry will find this easier than the Group 2 she contested at Royal Ascot while Gratzie and Mothers Finest are solid handicappers who are worth another try at this level. CLOTILDE finished ahead of Merry Me when third at Windsor and is more effective on this quicker surface. She has undoubtedly improved this year and can grab her best win to date.
Alfajer 7-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Volunteer Point (9-0) at Lingfield 7f fll stks (2) pol in Mar.
Black Cherry 50-1 (9-0) In touch, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Usherette (9-3) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 fll stks (1) sft in Jun.
Brandybend (IRE) 5-1 (8-2) Ins,test upper,falter, 4th of 6, 9l behind Suffused (8-2) at Belmont Park 1m 7f stks gd in Jun.
Clotilde 10-1 (8-13) Led briefly, chased leading pair, led over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, tight for room and squeezed up inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Gabrial (9-4) at Windsor 1m lst stks (1) sft in Jun.
Esteemable 4-1 (9-9) Held up in 6th, steady headway on inside 2f out, chasing leaders and switched right over 1f out, soon ridden and 2nd, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Pontefract 1m hcp fll (4) gf in Jun beating Rosy Morning (8-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gratzie 11-4fav (9-7) Held up in last trio, steady headway on outside well over 1f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Bath 1m hcp (3) fm in Jun beating Van Huysen (8-4) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Lady Marl 14-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Captain Navarre (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Lil Sophella (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Gabrial The Tiger (9-7) at Chester 7f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Loaves And Fishes 25-1 (9-6) Led, clear 3f out until pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair until ridden inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Epsom Icon (8-8) at Epsom 1m 1f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gs in Jun.
Lucy The Painter (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Held up, in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Little Lady Katie (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp fll (3) hvy in Jun.
Merry Me (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Chased leader until 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Gabrial (9-4) at Windsor 1m lst stks (1) sft in Jun.
Mothers Finest (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (2) pol in Jun beating Si Senor (8-11) by 1l, 9 ran.
Spirit Raiser (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, centre, ridden when groups merged over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 23rd of 28, 12 1/4l behind Portage (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) sft in Jun.
