Glory gunning for Ayr after great effort in Ripon's big sprint

Urban Soul
Third, 7f novice auction, Thirsk, Tuesday, August 15
Urban Soul qualified for a low rating with this close third behind well-backed favourite Wahoo.
James Bethell’s highly regarded juvenile tracked the leaders before taking over in front three furlongs out and was given only a couple of gentle reminders when headed.
This was a slowly run race and he benefited from being well positioned, but a step up in trip might also help.
Seventh behind the exciting Wells Farhh Go at York two weeks earlier, Urban Soul is clearly progressing.

Eqtidaar
Winner, 6f maiden, Nottingham, Friday, August 18
This was a hugely impressive debut from Eqtidaar. Racing prominently, Sir Michael Stoute’s colt was close up at halfway and led well over a furlong out before needing only to be pushed clear inside the final furlong for a ready victory.
The son of Invincible Spirit is a half-brother to last Saturday’s Hungerford Stakes winner Massaat, who had finished second in the Group 1 Dewhurst and 2,000 Guineas, and is bred to improve markedly on this debut effort.

Shanghai Glory
Third, Great St Wilfrid, 6f, Ripon, Saturday, August 19
Shanghai Glory can land a big prize on the evidence of his close third in this fiercely competitive handicap.
Drawn in stall 15, Charlie Hills’s progressive four-year-old finished strongly from off the pace and did best of those on the stands’ side.
The speedy son of Exceed And Excel had also produced a stellar display when beaten less than two lengths in the Stewards’ Cup and he should go close in the Ayr Gold Cup next month, especially granted cut in the ground.

Eagle Creek
Second, 1m handicap, Pontefract, Sunday, August 20
Eagle Creek deserves plenty of credit for his second to the well-treated Isabella.
Giving 15lb to the unexposed filly, this son of Raven’s Pass tracked the winner before being pushed along two furlongs out and keeping on at the same pace.
He was returning from a 106-day absence having sustained a leg injury when beaten at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting and had been gelded in the meantime.
The winner of a Lingfield maiden in April, he had been rated highly enough to get an entry in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.