took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden and pressing leaders 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced and always in rear
pressed leader, led after 1f, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, pressed leader, ridden to lead again 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, one pace
held up in last pair, headway under pressure and stayed on same pace over 1f out
Ballesteros has been placed three times now but hasn't been anywhere near soft going so far, though there was some cut in the ground here last week when Jay Bee Blue finished second to Point Made. The best form on offer is MONEY NEVER SLEEPS' second at Newmarket last month, where he was narrowly beaten by Elusive Flame who has since won again. Today's rival Police Force was a length further back in third and, though the latter looks sure to be thereabouts again, John Gosden's colt is fancied to confirm superiority.
Ballesteros 5-2fav (9-3) Ponied to start, good speed to cross over and chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Indian Tinker (9-3) at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Chicarito 66-1 (8-6) Outpaced towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 13, 8l behind Royal Reyah (8-9) at Bath 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug.
Gone To Ground 50-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, well behind over 3f out, 11th of 12, 21l behind Lucky Money (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Gulf Storm (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Went right start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon shaken up, outpaced by leaders from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 12l behind Taro Tywod (8-4) at Thirsk 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Jay Bee Blue 11-4 (9-3) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden approaching 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Point Made (9-3) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs.
Money Never Sleeps 11-8fav (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Tidy Affair (9-3) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs.
Police Force (USA) 7-4fav (9-3) Soon prominent, ridden to challenge winner when hung badly left entering final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Elusive Flame (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Willies Wonder (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Slowly away, in touch after 1f, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 16, 7l behind Elusive Flame (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
