held up, headway from 4f out, challenged 2f out, soon pressing winner and every chance until held final 100 yards
slowly into stride, took keen hold and held up in rear, effort on outside 3f out, beaten over 2f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on outside travelling well from 4f out, challenged 2f out, soon narrow lead, driven and carried head high, stayed on well to assert final 100 yards
slowly away, in rear, ridden along halfway, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and headway on outside over 4f out, chased leaders under pressure into straight until weakened just inside final 2f
pulled hard early, steadied rear after 1f, pushed along halfway, never got competitive
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on to challenge for 3rd from over 1f out, no chance with front pair
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, never reached leaders
mid-division, headway to track leader 7f out, led over 3f out to over 2f out, soon weakened and virtually pulled up final furlong
led, clear after 9f, reduced lead 10f out, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, well in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, went 2nd 10f out to 7f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, steady headway over 5f out, led over 2f out, immediately hung right, headed just inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
soon chased leader to 10f out, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in midfield, shuffled back to rear 5f out, ridden and switched left 2f out, went moderate 3rd 1f out, no chance with front pair
Ajaan's best runs have come on a softer surface, Enjoy The Moment has more on his plate to land this for a second year in row, whilst Honolulu has something to prove after last time so preference is for recent Chester Cup winner BULWARK. Ian Williams also has the 2006 winner of this race (then trained by Mick Channon) Baddam in the line-up however Bulwark looks the better option. He is quirky but visors straightened him out last time and he is a strong traveller who looks well suited to this sort of contest. He wasn't disgraced in the Gold Cup last year and with the ground in his favour he could confound his generous odds. Honolulu will be popular, especially as he looks sure to improve for his York reappearance run and his trainer hasn't had a runner in this race for a while. Distinction is getting on and hasn't really impressed in his two most recent runs, but he does run this track well and should have come on for his recent outing where the ground was possibly on the soft side. Ajaan is progressive, and whilst this is a further step up the ladder it would be unwise to rule him out, especially if the rains do come. Balkan Knight stays well and would like a strong pace, whilst similar comments apply to last year's winner Enjoy The Moment who goes on any ground. Not an easy way to end the day, but we will take a punt on Bulwark to win again.
Distinction (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Shipmaster (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Enjoy The Moment 33-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and still in rear over 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 3l behind Finalmente (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Honolulu (IRE) 5-4fav (8-12) In touch, ridden when outpaced over 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Geordieland (8-12) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Ashmolian (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, improved on outer 4f out to track leaders, ridden to chase winner 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Rock 'n' Roller (9-9) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Baddam 12-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no headway 2f out, stayed on one pace, 9th of 18, 5l behind Missoula (9-0) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf.
Bahrain Storm (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Mainly 6th, ridden from 3f out, 5th 2f out, no extra in 4th inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Ezima (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stk (1) gf in May.
Bulwark (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, edged left, led towards finish, won at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gd in May beating Som Tala (8-12) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Caracciola (GER) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 33, 3/4l behind Leg Spinner (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct.
Hasanpour (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led, strongly pressed 6f out, headed 5f out, 3rd approaching straight, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 11l behind Alamgiyr (9-3) at Tramore 1m 6f hcp 0-70 gf in May.
Invasian (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 15l behind Art Man (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcap (3) pol in May.
Kayf Aramis 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 4l behind Bukit Tinggi (9-10) at York 2m hcap (4) gd in May.
Merveilles 16-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, 7th on outer 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Ezima (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stk (1) gf in May.
Noddies Way 11-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Mighty Moon (9-3) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Ajaan 15-8fav (9-2) Held up, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in May beating Halla San (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Basalt (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Prominent, short of room, checked over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Missoula (9-0) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf.
Metaphoric (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Lion Sands (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Balkan Knight 10-1 (9-2) Steadied start, settled rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, no extra and headed final strides, 2nd of 8, hd behind Finalmente (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
