led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt, outpaced, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
soon pushed along in mid-division, not trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, effort when not clear run, switched left and hampered, ran on to lead near finish
outpaced, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong, went 2nd post
held up, ridden halfway, kept on not trouble leaders
slowly into stride, headway halfway, ridden and weakened 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra near finish
tracked leaders, effort and edged left entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, headed near finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace
METROPOLITAN MAN looked a real livewire when he burst on the American scene with a seven-length success at Keeneland in April; so the decision to make the trip across the Atlantic is taken to return just reward here. Dingle View and Marine Commando are improving types worth noting in the betting market, while Excello posted a much better effort to win at Kempton last time out and can represent good value for a place in the frame. A similar statement also applies to Roche Des Vents, whose sound cruising speed was matched by a willing attitude when pressed near the finish in a Lingfield maiden last month. The form has been boosted since, so the mount of Richard Hughes can be given serious consideration if money arrives in the betting ring to support his claims. Marine Commando appreciated the stiff finish to score on debut at Carlisle, so ought to be suited by the nature and lay out of Ascot's sprint track. Richard Fahey has a wealth of talent at his disposal so this fellow looks worth following whatever happens today. A change in tactics has been profitable for Dingle View in each of his last two starts - he made all to win unchallenged on both occasions. He is unlikely to have things all his own way today but at least appears to be capable of giving the selection a run for the money. However, Wesley Ward has made no secret of his desire to stick it to the Brits and he would appear to have found the ideal tool in the shape of Metropolitan Man. Ward won this with a similar type last year and, as Metropolitan Man has been prepared in a similar manner to Strike The Tiger, he seems to have discovered the winning formula to round off a sensational day one of the festival on a very high (and fast!) note.
Boundless Spirit 4-1 (9-2) Made all, ridden inside final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Beverley 5f 2yo stks (2) gf in May beating Chiswick Bey (9-2) by 1l, 5 ran.
Chilworth Lad 6-1 (9-0) Started slowly, last pair, headway on outside 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, took 2nd last strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Dinkum Diamond (9-0) at Sandown 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in May.
Diamond Geezah (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Went right start, in touch, ridden to chase winner when edged left over 1f out, kept on until no extra and lost place inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Dress Up (8-12) at Chester 5f 2yo mdn (3) gs in May.
Marine Commando 7-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on well, won going away, won at Carlisle 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in May beating Button Moon (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Metropolitan Man (USA) Evensfav (8-6) Near rail, driving, won at Keeneland(USA) 4f 2yo mdn stks in Apr beating Changing The Rules (8-6) by 7l, 12 ran.
Oor Jock (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Broke well and made all, quickened 1 1/2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Naas 5f 2yo stk gf beating Eastern Light (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Petronius Maximus (IRE) 8-13fav (9-3) Raced in 4th, pushed along to hold place before halfway, closer order in 3rd entering straight, soon ridden to go 2nd, no impression on leader 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Triple Eight (9-3) at Gowran Park 7f 2yo mdn gf in May.
Roche Des Vents 11-2 (9-3) Quickly away, made all on rail, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed and driven inside final furlong, on top near finish, won at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May beating Leiba Leiba (9-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sonoran Sands (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Prominent, driven to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Crown Prosecutor (8-13) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in May.
Speightowns Kid (USA) Speightstown colt out of Seize The Wind.
Stone Of Folca 16-1 (8-9) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden and strong challenge from well over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 8, hd behind Scarlet Rocks (8-11) at Windsor 5f 2yo nov stk (5) gf in May.
Excello 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along to lead over 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol beating The Thrill Is Gone (8-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Meandmyshadow 22-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and not much room 1f out, soon switched left, driven out inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Geesala (8-12) at Beverley 5f 2yo fll Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Style And Panache (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) In touch, driven and outpaced halfway, soon ridden, edged right and chased leading pair over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Excel Bolt (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo stks (2) gf.
Dingle View (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Made virtually all, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Salisbury 5f 2yo fll stks (3) gs in May beating Shewalksinbeauty (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
