led for 3f, chased winner after, kept on well, outpaced by winner 2f out
soon chased leading pair, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f
started slowly, always behind
prominent, led after 3f, quickened over 2f out, pushed along and in command over 1f out
started slowly, behind, wide bend 5f out, effort on outside over 2f out, soon outpaced
started slowly, still well in rear over 4f out, some late moderate headway
chased leaders until weakened 3f out
took keen hold, prominent until weakened over 2f out
in rear from halfway, soon tailed off
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Illustrator has by far the best form on offer and it will be a big surprise if Hope Sound, Panama or the newcomer Perelandra are good enough to stop him belatedly getting off the mark. The three-year-old looked a picture on his reappearance in the Glasgow Stakes at York and will surely have benefited greatly from his close up second behind the useful Lateen Sails. However, as he is a half-brother to Trace Clip and Sensory, it is worth bearing in mind that he is unlikely to want to go any further than this for the time being. His trainer does excel with horses of this type though and this is his for the taking. Rain would be a big help for Hope Sound, who made a very encouraging debut at Newcastle last month. He should not be a maiden for too long judging by that evidence and will not always come up against one to eye-catching as Illustrator. His stablemate Perelandra is bred to make an impact this season and is one to monitor closely, where as it will take a vastly improved effort from Panama to be in front at the finish.
