tracked leading pair, ridden to challenge over 1f out, disputing close 2nd and every chance entering final furlong, kept on into outright 2nd post, not pace of winner
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on gamely and found extra well inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in 6th, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, rallied under pressure and kept on again inside final furlong, not pace to threaten
led, quickened over 2f out, kept on well until ridden and headed approaching final furlong, still every chance until lost 2nd entering final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
held up in 5th, headway on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance disputing close 2nd entering final furlong, kept on but not pace of winner, dropped to 3rd post
slowly into stride, not much room on inside after start and soon steadied rear, switched left and headway on outer inside final furlong, finished well, not reach leaders
NonRunner
A fine renewal in which the globetrotting HIGHLAND REEL may add yet another prestigious Group 1 contest to his roll of honour which includes a Breeders' Cup, a Hong Kong Vase, a King George and a Coronation Cup, not to mention runner-up efforts in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Juddmonte International. The feeling still persists that he's yet to receive full recognition for his efforts but he looks the one to beat despite this trip being arguably short of his best. The same concern is applicable to Jack Hobbs but the Gosden horse really impressed when landing the Dubai Sheema Classic and the 2015 Irish Derby winner is sure to contend. Ulysses has been strongly backed for this contest and represents a master trainer with older horses. This will prove the acid test for the son of Galileo after his reappearance success in the Gordon Richards Stakes and he should make any shortlist with further improvement likely. Decorated Knight is enjoying a quite splendid campaign under the shrewd tutelage of Roger Charlton and is far from ruled out as he seeks to back up his Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup success at the Curragh last time.
Decorated Knight 7-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) Yielding in May beating Somehow (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Highland Reel (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Keen to post, led, headed briefly 2f out, soon in front again, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, in command over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Frontiersman (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Jack Hobbs 4-1 (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Mar beating Seventh Heaven (8-8) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Johannes Vermeer (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up in 6th, travelling well 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Decorated Knight (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) Yielding in May.
Mekhtaal (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 1 stks gd in May beating Robin Of Navan (9-2) by nk, 6 ran.
Scottish (IRE) (8-9) 2nd of 16, 3l behind Jameka (8-3) at Caulfield 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Ulysses (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Held up in 6th, crept closer on outside 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden to challenge on outside over 1f out, sustained run to lead well inside final furlong, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr beating Deauville (9-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Queen's Trust 6-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on and weakened towards finish, lost 3rd place, last of 4, 3l behind Blond Me (9-0) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gs in May.
Nezwaah 1-2fav (9-0) Led early, tracked leaders, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, led on bit inside final furlong, quickened clear under a hand ride, eased close home, won at Ayr 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in May beating Sophie P (9-0) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
