raced keenly, led set good pace and soon clear, reduced lead 4f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon lost 2nd, no extra in 4th well inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in last pair, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after
chased clear leader, closed 4f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong until final 100 yards, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, switched left inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd well inside final furlong
dwelt, held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway on wide outside over 2f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards
Josephine Gordon is picking up the odd ride for Sir Michael Stoute in handicaps and can steer the three-year-old THIRD ROCK to victory here. He's been gradually improving and only found too good stepping up to this trip last time at Salisbury – a visor is worn again. Choral Festival loves it here and has the ground in her favour but hasn't won off a mark this high for three years. Perceived may be treading water off her current mark but Sahara should be approaching peak fitness now and Popeswood is starting to look well treated.
Polar Forest 16-1 (9-6) Held up, in touch, ridden over 2f out, hung left and no impression over 1f out, last of 7, 10 1/4l behind Abushamah (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Defining Year (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, no impression, 11th of 14, dist behind Benissimo (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Popeswood (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Harlequin Striker (9-5) at Windsor 1m hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Sahara (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Steadied after start, held up in last pair, not clear run from over 2f out, soon switched left, keeping on when badly hampered over 1f out, shaken up and stayed on inside final furlong, went 4th towards finish, not recover, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Oasis Spear (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Robins Pearl (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 28 1/2l behind Kath's Legacy (8-7) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp fll (5) gf in May.
Perceived 12-1 (9-6) Held up on inside, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went modest 3rd close home, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 9, 8 3/4l behind White Poppy (9-1) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp fll (4) gf in Jun.
Choral Festival 4-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 5th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Jacob Cats (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp stks (5) gf in Jun.
Third Rock (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Panko (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f stks (5) gd in May.
