held up in 5th, ridden and no impression early straight, stayed on one pace final furlong
headway to track leader after 2f, raced wide until joined rest of field halfway, driven upsides 2f out to over 1f out, one pace and no impression when carried left final furlong
dwelt, soon chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden and stayed on one pace final 2f
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway on inside early straight, led over 1f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
led, brought field to centre course in straight, headed over 1f out, one pace and no impression when hung continually left final furlong
From a shortlist for the 'Classic Trial' containing Asperity, Celestial Halo and Chariots Of Fire, we will side with Asperity, although the betting should be viewed with interest. Sir Michael Stoute has already won the Craven Stakes this term with Adagio and he runs the promising maiden Al Tharib, while John Gosden won a Classic Trial earlier in the week and he saddles the Newmarket maiden winner Asperity. Barry Hills Celestial Halo is well-regarded and he romped to victory in a Newcastle maiden 14 days ago, and David Wachman won this race two years ago and he runs the Cork maiden winner, Chariots Of Fire, a very promising son of Galileo. Richard Hannon's Norisan has been placed at Listed level on the all-weather of late and was fourth in last season's Solario Stakes at this venue, while Petara Bay, who is a half-brother to Percussionist, returned for the season to win a Listed race - the Feilden Stakes - at Newmarket, so he is very much on the upgrade. Well-related, Regime showed plenty of promise last season, and maybe the heavy conditions beat him at Newbury on his final start, in the Racing Post Trophy, and Striving Storm comes here on the back of a solid fifth-placed effort in the Craven Stakes. It all adds up to a meaningful trial, with the selection being Asperity.
Al Tharib (USA) 3-1fav (9-3) Chased leaders, chased winner approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Desert Dew (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sept.
Asperity (USA) 8-11fav (9-0) Raced alone towards centre, made all, ran on final furlong, comfortably, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept beating Life (9-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 4-6fav (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, clear 2f out, easily, won at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd beating Campli (9-7) by 13l, 14 ran.
Chariots of Fire (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 4th over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge in 2nd, led well over 1f out, strongly pressed and stayed on well final furlong, all out, won at Cork 1m 1f 3yo mdn gf beating Sorolla (9-0) by a shd, 10 ran.
Norisan 10-1 (9-0) Held up in touch on outer, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, gaining towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Fares (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol.
Petara Bay (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon led, ridden and stayed on well, won at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf beating Salford Mill (8-13) by a hd, 8 ran.
Regime (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 12l behind Authorized (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) hvy in Oct.
Striving Storm (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, edged left from 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Adagio (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf.
