steadied start held up in rear, headway entering final 2f, led inside final furlong, ridden out
taken to post early, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, one pace final furlong
keen held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
close up, effort 2f out, no impression final furlong
taken to post early, towards rear, not moving well from over 4f out, soon eased, pulled up and dismounted
John Gosden has won two of the last four renewals but Mr Singh has something to find on collateral form with Balios. The latter finished runner-up in a Listed race at Newmarket on his reappearance while Magic Dancer finished second in the Lingfield Derby Trial behind an Aidan O'Brien-trained colt. The latter is represented by Father Christmas and Ol' Man River in this and Ryan Moore's mount has the best piece of form on offer with victory in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last year. But he's turned in a couple of shockers so far this season, including when behind Golden Horn in the Dante. FESTIVE FARE also finished behind the Derby winner when beaten a couple of lengths in the Feilden at Newmarket in April but that may still be good enough form to see the Godolphin colt get the better of Stravagante. The latter looks ready for a step up into this grade judged on a handicap victory at Epsom last time and should go close.
Balios (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Steadied start in touch in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, ran on near finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Best Of Times (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in May.
Father Christmas (IRE) 9-10fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, under pressure approaching straight, edged right over 1f out where 2nd, stayed on well final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo mdn beating Alertness (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Festive Fare 10-3 (9-0) Keen tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung right then left, headed 1f out, kept on one pace and lost two places near finish, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Golden Horn (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
Magic Dancer 14-1 (9-0) Led, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Kilimanjaro (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Mr Singh 11-4 (9-0) Slowly into stride and bustled along after start, held up last, switched left to outside over 3f out, driven and not quicken 2f out, soon veered right, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Storm The Stars (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Ol' Man River (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up well in rear, headway between horses over 2f out, soon not quicken with principals and beaten well over 1f out, 6th of 7, 22l behind Golden Horn (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Stravagante (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Towards rear, rapid headway on wide outside from over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, comfortable, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd beating Gibeon (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
