behind and outpaced, never dangerous
went left start, took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
hampered start, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
went right start, led early, chased leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, challenged and every chance inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
held up and keen, outpaced halfway, kept on and no impression final furlong
hampered start, soon led, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up and keen, lost place over 2f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace
Nihal can give Mark Johnston another winner at the meeting, with Right Ted, Soto and Celestial Princess making things interesting. All bar Touch of Ivory have winning form to their names, so to say that this is a competitive affair is an understatement, but we reckon that Nihal can show the necessary improvement to come out on top. The daughter of Singspiel was away slowly on each of her first two starts before the penny dropped at Ayr last month as she jumped out quickly before beating the favourite Auction Room in gritty fashion. An entry in the Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile at Newmarket this autumn may be optimistic at this stage, but she can find a few pound improvement to follow up here at least. Richard Hannon's Right Ted makes her nursery debut after scoring well at Folkestone and should go close along with Soto who was slightly unlucky behind Ajigolo at Doncaster. That one's stablemate Celestial Princess made most to hold on well at Carlisle and is yet another with claims, but in a wide-open contest a narrow vote only goes to Nihal.
Celestial Princess 8-15fav (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, hard ridden and rallied to lead again inside final furlong, kept on, won at Carlisle 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jul beating Creative Mind (8-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Soto 6-1 (8-8) Held up, pushed along when not much room and switched left over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Ajigolo (9-4) at Doncaster 6f nov stk (4) gf in Jul.
Stainley (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, held on gamely, won at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul beating Methusaleh (9-0) by a hd, 10 ran.
Right Ted (IRE) 9-4fav (8-9) Soon led far side rail, in command over 1f out, driven right out, won at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf beating Illustrious Blue (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Renderoc (USA) 10-3fav (8-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, edged left, led inside final furlong, driven and ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) gf beating Patavium (8-10) by a shd, 15 ran.
Nihal (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway to lead well over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul beating Auction Room (8-9) by a nk, 8 ran.
Hill of Almhuim (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 6th of 7, 17l behind Dont Dili Dali (8-4) at Yarmouth 7f nov aut stk (6) gd.
First Empire (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Made all, quickened pace over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 7f 2yo hcp (5) gf beating The Buck (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Touch of Ivory (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Dwelt and towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Suits Me (8-7) at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Shaydreambeliever 7-1 (8-1) In touch, ridden halfway, headway from over 1f out to lead inside last, won at Hamilton 6f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Strong Approach (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
