raced wide, held up towards rear, niggled along 5f out, ridden and struggling 3f out, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, close up on inside in 4th, ridden and hung right over 2f out, soon beaten
raced wide, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, driven along and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
steadied leaving stalls, held up last on inside, eased out and headway over 2f out, stayed on to 2nd over 1f out and kept on, no chance with winner, clear 2nd best
held up in 6th, smooth headway on outside to track leader 4f out, 2nd going well over 2f out, led 2f out, soon in command, stayed on strongly, easily
tracked leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
raced wide, held up in last pair, wide straight, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never any chance
held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace from over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leader until 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in 7th, headway under pressure to 4th over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
edged left throughout, led until ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner, no chance when lost 2nd over 1f out
HARBINGER is taken to advertise why he holds Group One entries by outclassing these; Duncan could be value for the forecast spot ahead of Jukebox Jury and Alainmaar. Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old was talked of as a Derby candidate last year having caught the eye when second in the Wood Ditton on debut. He then went on to comfortably land a maiden at Chester's May meeting but connections opted to skip the Derby and instead sent him to Goodwood for the Group Three Gordon Stakes which again he took in his stride, at which point the sky was the limit. Subsequent disappointments in the Great St Voltigeur and the St Simon Stakes at Newbury meant he ended the season on a low note but Sir Michael's record of getting the best from his older horses has been demonstrated this term as Harbinger has been thoroughly dominant in winning the John Porter and then again at Chester, taking care of a smart Ballydoyle horse on the latter occasion. He's got form on quick ground, the trip is ideal and he's already shown himself to be the best of these so everything looks good for an impressive success, one that would enhance Sir Michael's already stellar record in the race as he's won two of the last four renewals. Duncan could prove pick of the rest; he wasn't beaten at all far in the Group One Coronation Cup last year and made a satisfactory return at Ascot so whilst his attitude perhaps isn't the best he can take second. Alainmaar has progressed well this term, landing the City & Suburban at Epsom in the manner of a classy individual. He made hard work of winning a conditions race at Lingfield after but that track and the small field may have been against him and he showed a likeable attitude; the best is yet to come from him surely. Jukebox Jury has to concede a penalty all-round and that will make life exceptionally tough for Mark Johnston's runner but he is proven in this grade and should give a good account of himself. He holds Claremont so Godolphin's best hope may be Wajir, a Group Two winner last term who may've needed the run behind Manifest at York and is Frankie's pick here. Barshiba is very closely matched with Duncan on these terms but may struggle to confirm the form although she's a lovely mare who gives her best whilst connections of Redwood are adamant he's better than he showed last time and his previous Sandown second looks strong form, but as was the case that day he's likely to find one of Sir Michael Stoute's too good as Harbinger gets the confident call.
Jukebox Jury (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Keen, tracked leader 10f out until 5f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Fame And Glory (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Claremont (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led on inside travelling well over 3f out, ridden and in command over 1f out, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Newbury 1m 5f Listed stks (1) gf in May beating Sabotage (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Crowded House 9-4fav (9-0) Tracked leading trio, effort when hampered well over 1f out, keeping on same pace and held when hampered by runner up approaching final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Glass Harmonium (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Duncan 4-5fav (8-12) Held up tracking leading pair, cruised up on bit over 2f out, soon challenged and hung right, led 1f out, outbattled well inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Barshiba (8-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Harbinger 8-13fav (9-3) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear, pushed out, readily, won at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in May beating Age Of Aquarius (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Petara Bay (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up in 7th, pushed along 4f out, headway on outside over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, close on 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Claremont (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Redwood 7-2 (9-0) Slowly into sride and switched left after start, behind, outpaced 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, never able to challenge, 7th of 8, 11l behind Debussy (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Sans Frontieres (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 9l behind Debussy (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
South Easter (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Keen, led 1f, with leading group until 7f out, dropped to rear over 4f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind Fame And Glory (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Wajir (FR) 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and challenged 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Manifest (8-12) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Barshiba (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Soon tracked winner, hung left from 4f out, no chance final 2f, lost well held 2nd over 1f out, weakened to 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Les Fazzani (9-1) at Haydock 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) gs in May.
Alainmaar (FR) 1-3fav (8-12) Chased leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (2) gf in May beating Peligroso (8-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
