chased leading trio on rail, pushed along halfway, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd last strides
started slowly, last pair, headway on outside 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, took 2nd last strides, no chance with winner
tracked leaders on outer, shaken up and quickened to lead just over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on strongly
chased leader, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, took keen hold in last pair, ridden and no response over 1f out
led, crossed over to rail after 1f, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, edged right and weakened inside final furlong
CAPE TO RIO is the call in this event with Nasharra and Dinkum Diamond put up as the alternatives. Richard Hannon won this race with Monsieur Chevalier and this colt appears to possess many similar traits. He did give odds on backers a bit of a fright at Windsor though showed plenty of professionalism to pull all the stops out in the final furlong. Nasharra takes a step up in grade and comes here rather than take on what would have been easier opportunities at Pontefract and Beverley later in the week. He is clearly well thought of by connections. Dinkum Diamond beat Foghorn Leghorn when the pair met at Salisbury though both will need to have shown significant improvement in order to score at this level. Chilworth Lad has shown improved form to win at Ascot. Related to winners over slightly further, he would make a little more appeal over six but chances are limited at this stage of the season. Scarlet Rocks finished behind Cape To Rio when they met at Windsor and has gone on to take a Novice stakes at the same venue since. Cape To Rio currently sets this season's standard for the juveniles and it will take a very decent performance to unseat him from that pedestal.
Cape To Rio (IRE) 1-4fav (8-11) Held up, good headway between horses over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, quickened to lead last half furlong, soon shaken up and in control, won at Windsor 5f 2yo stks (2) gd beating Scarlet Rocks (8-6) by 1l, 6 ran.
Chilworth Lad 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders on outide, left in lead 1f out, kept on well, won at Ascot 5f 2yo mdn (3) gf beating Old Master Expert (9-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dinkum Diamond (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Held up in touch, switched left over 2f out, soon headway, lead final furlong, kept on well, won at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Foghorn Leghorn (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Foghorn Leghorn 2-1fav (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dinkum Diamond (9-3) at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Nasharra (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Led 2f, remained close up, pushed along and led half a furlong out, soon edged left, kept on well, won at Leicester 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Mujrayaat (9-3) by 1l, 4 ran.
Scarlet Rocks (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Went right start, pulled hard, led, headed 2f out, soon driven, edged left and ran on well inside final furlong to regain lead last strides, won at Windsor 5f 2yo nov stk (5) gf beating Stone Of Folca (8-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Novabridge 11-4 (9-3) Chased leaders, with leader halfway, ridden to lead well over 1f out, kept on well, won at Redcar 5f 2yo sll (6) gf in Apr beating Tanked Up (9-3) by 4l, 4 ran.
