always in rear
keen hold, settled 6th, ridden 5f out, 8th and weakening straight
held up in 5th, went 4th straight, headway to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and lost 2nd last stride
soon led, clear 12f out, reduced lead 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased winner to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in 9th, ridden 5f out, 10th and weakening straight, pulled up and dismounted inside final furlong
held up in 7th, 9th and bumped straight, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd last stride, no chance with winner
took keen hold, held up in 10th, headway and 6th straight, stayed on one pace final 2f
slowly into stride, tracked leading pair after 6f, went 2nd 8f out, pushed along 5f out, 4th and ridden straight, soon weakened
soon tracked leader until 8f out, 3rd and pushed along 6f out, 5th and ridden when jinked left entering straight, weakened quickly
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd and travelling strongly straight, led over 2f out, shaken up and in command over 1f out, easily
always last, lost touch final 4f, 12th and well behind straight
keen hold, held up in 8th, headway into 5th and bumped straight, weakened over 2f out
Distinction is the one to beat, with Reefscape, Sergeant Cecil, and Yeats all respected. Sir Michael Stoute last sent out the winner of Royal Ascot's centrepiece in 1978 when Shangamuzo obliged, and so nearly collected for the first time since on the Knavesmire 12 months ago when Distinction was a gallant second, only worn down close home by Westerner. That proved that the son of Danehill stays every yard of the Gold Cup trip, and his whole campaign has been geared around going one better today. He carried a 9lb penalty for his Goodwood Cup success when returning to the fray in Listed company at Newbury last month, and managed to overcome that burden and soft ground to make a winning return. Under today's conditions, he is a confident choice to oblige. Reefscape bids to emulate Westerner in taking the prize back across the English Channel and has been the subject of plenty of ante-post support. His strength lies in his ability to keep up a steady gallop, and he will be susceptible to a late charge from the selection. Sergeant Cecil is the people's horse, and last season's hero of the big three staying handicaps proved that he is still on the upgrade when second in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup last time. It would be no surprise if her were placed at least, while Yeats has to prove that he stays at this level. However, he had the class to land the Coronation Stakes last term so has to be respected. Tungsten Strike had Winged d'Argent and Barolo behind in the Henry 11 Stakes at Sandown and looks as though he will stay the extra-half mile, but has it to do at this level, especially against an opponent of the calibre of Distinction who can stamp his authority on this field.
Akarem 16-1 (9-1) Disputed 3rd, headway on inside rail over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ascot 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in May beating Frank Sonata (9-1) by 4l, 9 ran.
Barolo 12-1 (9-2) Raced in 3rd, chased winner from 3f out, driven and held over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Tungsten Strike (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 3 (1) hvy in May.
Distinction (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Raced in 3rd, headway travelling well over 2f out, ridden 2f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead final strides, won at Newbury 1m 5f lst stk (1) sft in May beating Balkan Knight (8-12) by a hd, 6 ran.
High Action (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Led, pushed 5 lengths clear over 6f out, reduced lead and headed inside final 4f, weakened quickly over 2f out, 5th of 6, 15l behind Distinction (9-7) at Newbury 1m 5f lst stk (1) sft in May.
Media Puzzle (USA) 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd early straight, led 1f out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in May beating Good Surprise (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Reefscape (9-2) Prominent, 2nd halfway, 3rd straight, ran on steadily to straight, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Shamdala (8-10) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 2 (A) gd in May.
Sergeant Cecil 9-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Percussionist (8-12) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 4-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, came to stands rail in straight, in lead 3f out, in command over 1f out, driven and stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Sandown 2m Grp 3 (1) hvy in May beating Winged d'Argent (9-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along from halfway, driven and stayed on, took 2nd well inside final furlong but no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Tungsten Strike (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 3 (1) hvy in May.
Yeats (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Off slw,brief lead trn, 6th of 10, 12l behind Relaxed Gesture (9-0) at Woodbine 1m 4f stk std in Oct.
Motafarred (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Prominent, driven over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Trouble Mountain (8-4) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Guadalajara (GER) 7-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, ran on from over 1f out but no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Oiseau Rare (8-7) at Longchamp 1m 4f fll stk Grp 2 (1) sft in Oct.
