tracked winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on strongly and edged left closing stages, just failed
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, held on well under pressure
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms
held up in touch, driven and headway halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Dream Eater was good value for his win in a valuable big-field contest at Doncaster last week and has to be respected but this looks even tougher and preference is for Strike The Deal, with Dark Angel rated the pick of the remainder. The selection did not seem to get the extra furlong in the Champagne Stakes last week and should be suited by the return to six furlongs today. Good value for his win in the Richmond Stakes previously, Jeremy Noseda's colt looks more than capable of giving weight away all round. Dark Angel was well held in the Flying Childers Last week but still rates a bigger threat than Richard Hannon's Berbice, who has a bit to find with the Barry Hills-trained colt on York running last month. Easy Target was disappointing in the Gimcrack last time but is better than his showing there. However, Strike The Deal has plenty in his favour and he looks the one they all have to beat.
Strike The Deal (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden, outpaced over 2f out, 9th of 10, 13l behind McCartney (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf.
Berbice (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 20, 2l behind Dark Angel (8-11) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Aug.
Dark Angel (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Fleeting Spirit (8-11) at Doncaster 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf.
Easy Target (FR) 11-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, headway halfway, hung right and not clear run 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 11l behind Sir Gerry (8-12) at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Jebel Tara 50-1 (8-9) Prominent for 4f stands side, 20th of 22, 10l behind Dream Eater (8-12) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Philario (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Always prominent, ridden and hung left final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) pol beating Red Alert Day (9-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Dream Eater (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders far side, led group and overall leader approaching final furlong, driven out, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gf beating Achilles Of Troy (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 22 ran.
