soon settled in 3rd behind clear leading pair, weakened over 3f out, losing touch when hampered inside final 2f
held up in rear and well off the pace, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
ran in snatches, held up and behind, pushed along 4f out, well behind final 3f
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, one pace and no impress from over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on outside well over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up and behind and well off the pace, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leading pair inside final 2f, stayed on same pace
prominent in chasing group, effort and ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch and chasing group, well behind final 3f
held up in 4th off fast pace, closed from over 3f out, led 2f out, quicken clear, unchallenged
raced wide, took keen hold in mid-division, dropped rear 6f out, staying on one pace and no chance when hampered on rail over 1f out
soon led at strong pace, weakened and headed 2f out, soon lost place
held up and behind, hard ridden and struggling from 3f out
took keen hold, held up in 6th off fast pace, ridden 4f out, headway over 3f out, driven to chase winner 2f out, soon outpaced
soon pressed leader and clear of rest, ridden 4f out, weakened quickly 2f out
Last year's runner-up Persian Lightning can go one better at the expense of Promotion, Millafonic and Irish raider Akshar. Persian Lightning has gone up 9lb in the ratings since his narrow defeat to In Time's Eye 12 months ago but that hike is not too harsh considering the form that John Dunlop's five-year-old has been in since. He had his latest victory at Epsom sewn up in a matter of strides and was eased towards the finish so no doubt has a little bit more to offer today. John Dunlop has had a lean time of things at the Royal meeting over the past few years but will be very optimistic that this fellow can redress the balance. Promotion would be a popular winner in the colours of Her Majesty The Queen and should be in at the business end if he can improve again. Successful in two of his four career starts, he lines up on a 10lb higher mark than when scoring at Newmarket last time. Like John Dunlop, Luca Cumani has been absent from the winner's enclosure here-seven years in fact, so maybe there's a cracked mirror somewhere in Bedford House. However, Millafonic is sure to make a bold bid to put matters right after his unlucky-in-running sixth in Redcar's Zetland Gold Cup on what was his first attempt over today's trip. His dam Milligram was successful in the 1987 Coronation Stakes and with just the one run to his name so far this season, Millafonic may be placed at the very least. Red Fort will appreciate the slight drop back in trip after fading at Newmarket so is worth a mention, while Dermot Weld saddled last year's winner of this event so Akshar, third in the Moorbridge Stakes at the Curragh, should not be left out of calculations either. He was successful five times for Sir Michael Stoute before moving to Ireland. There may be another exciting finish in store, and we shall take Persian Lightning to strike and put matters right for last year's defeat.
