chased leader until over 2f out, weakening when not much room well over 1f out, eased when no chance final furlong, tailed off
soon chased leaders on outside, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, plenty to do when pushed along 4f out, switched left to wide outside over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd 1f out, sustained run to close on winner near finish, not quite able to get up
held up in last pair, behind and strugglng 3f out, no chance
steadied and switched right start, held up last, struggling 3f out
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon struggling, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off
towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon struggling, no chance final 2f
mid-division on outside, driven along 5f out, wide and driven along over 2f out, plugged on for pressure inside final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders
mid-division on inside, effort well over 1f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, chased winner until 1f out, kept on same pace
raced wide in early stages, in touch, effort on outside under pressure 2f out, driven over 1f out, faded
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
close up in 5th, travelling well over 2f out, chased leaders in 3rd 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace over 1f out
close up in 6th, effort going well over 2f out, led entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on well
always towards rear, no progress under pressure over 2f out
Nonrunner
In a competitive race IMPOSING appeals as the one most likely to be a cut above the grade; Submariner, Martyr and Sweet Lightning should all continue to run well. Sir Michael Stoute's colt has had his problems but put them behind him when readily scoring at York last time. That was a really taking performance over 1m2f from a horse who rates a solid marker and a 9lb rise may underestimate his superiority, especially as there should be more to come as that was his first start in over a year; he should get the trip without problems. Mark Johnston won this last year with Drill Sergeant but Submariner looks his best chance as he too should be fine over a mile and a half having stayed on stoutly over 1m2f at Beverley two starts back. He's a nicely bred, progressive type from whom there should be more to come and quick ground seems ideal. Martyr won over this trip at Newmarket last time, a track he enjoys, and hasn't been harshly punished with a 5lb rise. That said, his new mark is a pound higher than the one he took third from in this last year so whilst a bold show is likely winning may prove tough. Drill Sergeant is handicapped to win this once more racing off the same mark as last year but he was a long way behind Hanoverian Baron last time and needs to have come on plenty for that. A bigger threat to our selection may be Michael Dods' Sweet Lightning who pulled clear of the third when finding a well handicapped horse too strong in the Zetland at Redcar with this extra two furlongs unlikely to prove troublesome. Eradicate can't be totally ruled out if returning to his best and this is easier than the Group Three he took in last time, Just Lille is a likeable mare riding the crest of a wave but the handicapper may have her whilst Final Victory may be weighted to the hilt although he is expected to confirm form with Classic Vintage. The final handicap of the meeting is typically competitive but Imposing could be a pattern class horse in the making and is taken to show it under Ryan Moore.
Eradicate (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, keen hold as pace steadied 6f out, hard driven 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 7th of 9, 7l behind Akmal (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Drill Sergeant 16-1 (9-10) Led early, tracked clear leader, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 15, 32l behind Hanoverian Baron (8-3) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Imposing 7-2 (8-12) Held up behind, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, ridden to lead final 100 yards, stayed on, won at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May beating Indian Days (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Classic Vintage (USA) 11-4fav (9-5) Led 1f, soon in touch, chased leaders 3f out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Final Victory (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Via Galilei (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Slowly away, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 10l behind Final Victory (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Mystery Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Hanoverian Baron (8-3) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Macarthur 12-1 (9-0) Pressed leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, edged right when beaten over 2f out, went 3rd post, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Tactic (9-0) at York 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Dangerous Midge (USA) 4-1fav (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 15, 14l behind Hanoverian Baron (8-3) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Sweet Lightning 11-4fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Forte Dei Marmi (9-3) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
Just Lille (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Made all, clear over 4f out, unchallenged, won at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Lady Eclair (8-10) by 5l, 13 ran.
Australia Day (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Soon tracked leader, joined leader 6f out until 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 9l behind Fiery Lad (9-8) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Submariner (USA) 2-1fav (9-1) Soon pushed along from start to get handy position, led over 8f out and steadied pace, headed 7f out, tracked leaders, challenged between horses over 1f out, led just over 1f out, stayed on, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Classic Punch (9-4) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Becausewecan (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Raced wide, prominent, joined leader halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 17, 21l behind Tinaar (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in May.
Martyr 9-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, not clear run over 1f out, switched left 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead near finish, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May beating Spirit Is Needed (9-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sandor 11-2 (8-8) Held up in 5th, switched right to outside over 1f out, ran on and quickened under hands and heels to lead final 100 yards, won at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May beating Follow The Flag (7-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Cill Rialaig 8-1 (8-13) In touch in 5th, pushed along when not much room and bumped 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never any chance with unchallenged winner, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Fortuni (8-8) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Final Victory 9-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May beating Classic Vintage (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Shamali 5-6fav (9-4) Led and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden and joined inside final furlong, outpaced to 3rd final 100 yards, dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 6, 1l behind Sandor (8-8) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Siberian Tiger (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on well, never able to challenge, 4th of 18, 9l behind Desert Recluse (8-3) at York 1m 4f ladys hcp 0-95 (3) gd.