towards rear, ridden halfway, headway well over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest at finish
with winner, ridden, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, outpaced halfway
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders until halfway
made virtually all, ridden 2f out, ran on well final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong
led early, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway and edged left over 1f out, ran on to chase winner well inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, ridden to chase leaders halfway, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
In the opener, we will side with Strike Up The Band, with his biggest dangers reckoned to be Classic Encounter, Masta Plasta, Sunrise Safari and Green Park. The selection has won two of his three races, and is possibly unlucky not to be unbeaten as he was narrowly defeated by Ooh Ah Camara at Chester. However, he put that behind him when scooting up at Goodwood last time, beating yesterday's Chesham Stakes third, Crocodile Bay, in the process. He looks useful and can go well for his in-form yard today. Classic Encounter won very well on his latest start and, so long as the going does not become soft, looks to hold good claims, while Green Park is progressive and has done little wrong in winning his last two races, so can go well, and Masta Plasta also looked very progressive when winning at Newcastle last time and has similar claims. Sunrise Safari was placed in a Listed contest at Sandown last time, and that form is solid, so he can go well also. However, we are happy to side with Strike Up The Band.
Ajigolo 15-8fav (9-0) Attempted to make all, ridden and headed over 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 6, 8l behind Golden Arrow (9-0) at Cork 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf.
Classic Encounter (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Made all, clear halfway, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Newmarket 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May beating Always Hopeful (9-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
Green Park (IRE) 8-11fav (9-0) Dwelt, soon close up on outer, edged right just inside final 2f, led over 1f out, won at Windsor 5f 2yo stk (2) gf in May beating Scarlet Knight (9-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jackie Francis (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Started slowly, behind and not much room after 1f, headway 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind Verite (9-0) at Chester 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 6-4 (9-0) Made all, quickened clear over 1f out, driven out, impressive, won at Newcastle 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd beating Indigo Nights (8-9) by 5l, 11 ran.
Mytton's Pride 7-1 (8-9) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 5f 2yo stk (2) gf beating Tabaret (8-6) by 2l, 9 ran.
Overstayed (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Mullaad (8-12) at Newcastle 5f nov stk (5) gd in May.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Soon pushed along and in touch, ridden and one pace when hampered over 1f out and again inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Godfrey Street (9-0) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in May.
Strike Up The Band 15-8fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, led over 2f out, edged left, ran on strongly final furlong, driven out, won at Goodwood 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in May beating Crocodile Bay (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sunrise Safari (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Led, ridden 2f out, joined entering final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Salut d'Amour (8-10) at Sandown 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Takoda (IRE) 4-6fav (9-2) In touch, headway to chase winner 2f out, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Amber Glory (8-9) at York 5f nov med aut stk (3) sft in May.
Verite 11-1 (9-0) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Chester 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Lady Superior (8-9) by 1l, 10 ran.
