held up towards rear, never near to challenge
held up toward rear, ridden along 3 out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, never nearer
held up in touch, ridden & switched right to inside over 1f out & every chance, no extra ins fnl furlong
dwelt straight, towards rear, hdwy on outside to mid-division over halfway, ridden from 3 out, never nearer
trckd leaders, 3rd straight, ridden & weakened approaching fnl furlong
held up rear, never a danger
led at steady pce, quickened up over 1 mile out, shaken up & headed 2 out, rallied under pressure 1f out, no extra ins fnl furlong
tracked leaders until ridden & weakened 2f out
tracked leader, challenged from 3f out, led 2f out, headed ins fnl furlong, rl to lead again towards finish, all out
held up mid division, shaken up 3 out, soon beaten
held up mid division, hdwy 2f out under pressure, joined leader 1f out, ev chance inside fnl furlong, no extra close home
in touch, hdwy well over 1f out, led briefly ins fnl furlong, headed & no extra close home
held up mid division, ridden & hampered when beaten over 1f out
held up rear, always bhd
This looks set to be a cracking renewal for the stayers crown and, as is only to be expected, it is no easy contest to fathom out. Vinnie Roe, unbeaten in his last five outings, has already come in for a hefty amount of ante post support and if he stays the trip, he will be hard to beat. However, there must be a doubt about him at a trip that is half a mile further than he has ever tried before. Persian Punch needs no introduction as he bids to make it sixth-time lucky in this race, but his style of running will always leave him susceptible to a horse with a turn of foot and he has never registered an Ascot victory during his illustrious career. Royal Rebel is a frustrating individual and cannot be relied upon to put in anything like his performance in winning this last year and his stable's hopes may rest with Akbar this time around. Invermark and Solo Mio should also give a good account of themselves over a trip that is well within them and the former may well be the one to side now that his stable have hit a rich vein of form. Jardines Lookout is a classy performer but the drying ground may have gone against him.
