keen held up in rear, headway on inner to track leaders 3f out, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
held up, headway entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on to press for 2nd close home
keen prominent, pushed along and looked held when short of room over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, wide and headway entering final 2f, edged right and led approaching final furlong, ran on
close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace
keen raced wide tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway 4f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Clear at the weights, it seems JAPAN need only reproduce his terrific third in the Derby to come out best in this. His rider dropped his whip in the closing stages at Epsom but he still finished clear of Eagles By Day, Humanitarian and Bangkok and Aidan O’Brien’s colt will likely be even better for any cut in the ground. Pablo Escobarr looks to have a stronger chance than any of the latter trio of matching the selection on his second to Anthony Van Dyke on soft ground in the Lingfield Derby Trial. He could run a big race and is preferred to the progressive Private Secretary, who won a Listed contest at Goodwood last month. Pondus takes an even bigger step up in class having won a couple of novice races over 1m2f while Naas maiden winner Jack Yeats is another Ballydoyle runner and will likely ensure a decent pace.
Bangkok (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, driven over 3f out, soon ridden and unable to quicken, never on terms, weakened final furlong, 12th of 13, 12 1/2l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Eagles By Day (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 2f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 8l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f lst stks (1) sft in May.
Humanitarian (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and stayed on into mid-division inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Jack Yeats (IRE) 9-10fav (9-5) Chased leader in close 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, won at Naas 1m 2f mdn Good - Yielding in Apr beating Hazran (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Japan 20-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear of mid-division, driven over 3f out, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just held, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Pablo Escobarr (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Led 2f, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f lst stks (1) sft in May.
Pondus 7-4fav (9-7) Made all, clear final 2f, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Sandown 1m 2f stks (5) gf in May beating Aktau (9-0) by 5l, 14 ran.
Private Secretary 11-10fav (9-0) Soon steadied rear, headway on wide outside chasing leaders over 2f out, quickened to challenge inside final furlong, led close home, snugly, won at Goodwood 1m 3f lst stks (1) gf in May beating Spanish Mission (9-0) by nk, 7 ran.
