close up and chasing group, headway 3f out, driven and weakened 2f out, eased when beaten over 1f out
switched left start, took keen hold, raced alone on stands rail over 2f, mostly disputed 2nd after, closed up 3f out, every chance 2f out, not pace of winner final furlong, kept on to press for 2nd
held up, raced on outside of chasing group, reminders halfway, hung right over 2f out and soon weakened
held up in rear, swift progress on rails to lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, not pace of winner final furlong, kept on gamely to hold 2nd
disputing 2nd, behind clear leader, closed up from 3f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
led at good pace, soon clear, gradually switched left stands rail over 5f out, pushed along and reduced lead 3f out, driven and headed 2f out, weakened rapidly and eased over 1f out
held up in rear, pushed along and struggling over 3f out, tailed off
took keen hold early, prominent and chasing group, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach winner
held up, smooth headway between horses over 2f out, soon chasing leader, led approaching final furlong, shaken up and soon quickened clear, ridden out
GLADIATORUS is reunited with former camel race rider Ahmed Ajtebi after their famous Group 1 victory in the Dudai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba in March and are taken to land the opening race of the Royal Ascot meeting at the expense of Paco Boy and Main Aim. The selection is undefeated in all three of his races to date and has winning form on turf as well as an all weather surface. He continued to improve throughout the winter in Dubai and ran a personal best when getting the better of Presvis and Alexandros in his latest victory. The latter of those is set to re-oppose but looks unlikely on recent form to reverse the placings. Paco Boy did not have things his own way when sent off favourite in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month. He finished a fair fourth behind Virtual but the ground conditions were softer than ideal and the race was run at a false pace resulting in a sprint finish. He will fair better with a guaranteed fast pace and with his trainer in such good form he is worth noting in the betting market. Main Aim is fast improving having won two from two this season. He won a handicap at Newbury before gaining victory in a Group 3 contest at Haydock last time out. This will be his stiffest task to date and further improvement will be needed. Gladiatorus has proven form in this grade and as long as he has acclimatised to his new surroundings he will prove difficult to beat.
Alexandros 16-1 (9-0) Close up 4th, pressed leaders over 1f out, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 11, ns behind Virtual (9-0) at Newbury 1m stks (1) sft in May.
Aqlaam 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division on outer, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 11, 15l behind Virtual (9-0) at Newbury 1m stks (1) sft in May.
Arabian Gleam 10-1 (9-5) Held up and keen, headway over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Main Aim (9-0) at Haydock 7f stks (1) gd in May.
Cesare 6-4fav (9-1) Steadied start, held up last, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on to go narrow 2nd inside final furlong, not reached winner and lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Archipenko (9-6) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gs in Jul.
Dream Eater (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, 9th of 11, 12l behind Virtual (9-0) at Newbury 1m stks (1) sft in May.
Gladiatorus (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Soon led; set decent pace; drew clear 600m out; hard ridden 300m out; ran on well; eased near finish, won at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar beating Presvis (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Mac Love 14-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, 7th straight, good headway on outside from 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, shaken up and quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Epsom Downs 1m stks (1) gd beating Confront (9-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Main Aim 7-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Haydock 7f stks (1) gd in May beating Beacon Lodge (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Paco Boy (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Steadied start, raced keenly in touch, not clear run 2f out, switched right, ran on to lead entering final furlong, soon headed, faded towards finish, 4th of 11, 2l behind Virtual (9-0) at Newbury 1m stks (1) sft in May.
