tracked leader until over 10f out, went 2nd again over 4f out until 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in mid-division, headway over 4f out, tracked leading trio 3f out, went 3rd on inside over 2f out, effort when hung right over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling final 5f, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leading trio, went 3rd 9f out, tracked leader 6f out, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed chasing leaders until weakened and lost places inside final furlong
close up in 5th, headway on outside travelling well over 2f out, led and hung right over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong
held up in rear, pulled way up and rapid headway to join leaders 12f out, led 9f out until 6f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off and pulled up
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd over 5f out until over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
mid-division, plugged on one pace final 2f
took keen hold, close 5th and 6th, headway to 3rd over 4f out, chased leader 3f out until entering final 2f, 3rd when edged right inside final furlong, weakened to 4th close home
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on to 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
led until over 9f out, led again over 6f out, ridden and headed iover 4f out, weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up
always in rear, never a factor, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, switched right towards finish, took 3rd close home
always rear-division, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
This revolves around whether FAME AND GLORY stays the trip. Aidan O'Brien's Irish Derby and Coronation Cup winner warmed up for this over 1m6f at Leopardstown, the same race Yeats won before gaining the second of his four Gold Cup victories. Yeats was also untried beyond that trip before coming here in 2006 and the Ballydoyle team have been preparing Fame And Glory for this all year. His class should see him through in what looks a below average year. Duncan had Blue Bajan and Manighar just behind when landing the Yorkshire Cup but he's another untried at anywhere near this trip. The runner-up has since taken advantage of softer ground at Sandown to land the Henry II Stakes over 2m when Holberg was only third and any ease in the going should see him competitive, a remark that also applies to Manighar. The veteran Kasbah Bliss was sixth a year ago in what looked a much stronger renewal and can get closer this time, while Motrice and Tastahil could repay each-way support at big odds as neither were stopping behind Samuel in last year's Doncaster Cup over 2m2f. Geordieland, placed three times behind Yeats in this, returns after a very long break but don't rule out a big effort as he is the one runner guaranteed to stay the trip. Brigantin improved to land a Longchamp Group 2 last time but will need more here.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Led, headed 10f out, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Blue Bajan (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Askar Tau (FR) 5-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear in touch, headway on outside when bumped over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impresssion final furlong, 6th of 8, 5l behind Duncan (9-2) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up, headway to track leaders 5f out, every chance and going well over 1f out, soon led, ridden and ran on, won at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in May beating Montaff (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Duncan 11-4 (9-2) Raced keenly, made all, raced alone centre 4f, challenged over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong, won at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in May beating Blue Bajan (8-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fame And Glory 3-10fav (9-8) Chased leaders, closer in 5th from 4f out, challenged in 3rd from over 1f out, soon led and strongly pressed, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gf in May beating Vivacious Vivienne (8-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Geordieland (FR) 13-8fav (9-4) Waited with in rear, switched right and smooth headway on outside over 2f out, tracked leader 2f out, every chance approaching final 1f until ridden and found nil inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Askar Tau (9-4) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep '09.
Holberg (UAE) 6-4fav (9-2) Close up, led well over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on one pace, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Blue Bajan (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) (9-1) 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Dunaden (9-1) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Manighar (FR) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division in touch, headway to challenge over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until lost 2nd well inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Duncan (9-2) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 10-3 (8-13) 4th of 6 Brigantin (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f stk (1) gd in May.
Tastahil (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, soon chasing winner, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, always held by winner, 2nd of 17, 1 3/4l behind Overturn (8-13) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in May.
The Betchworth Kid 8-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden along 5f out, stayed on from over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 7, 3l behind Askar Tau (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Brigantin (USA) 7-1 (8-11) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f stk (1) gd in May, 6 ran.
Fictional Account (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Towards rear, closed from 4f out, ridden in 5th over 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Fame And Glory (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Motrice 7-4fav (8-1) In rear, pushed along briefly 10f out, headway to track leaders 4f out, ridden 3f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Tastahil (9-0) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
