switched left soon after start, raced near side, behind, hanging right over 1f out, never near leaders
raced near side mid-division, headway over 2f out, disputed lead approaching final furlong, every chance, not pace of winner inside final furlong
raced near side with leader on outer, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly
raced near side, held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon bumped and no impression final 2f
slowly into stride, raced near side towards rear, not clear run 2f out, soon ridden, never dangerous afterwards
in touch near side, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch near side, ridden 2f out, no progress, soon one pace
chased leaders near side, every chance 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leader far side, led that side 3f out, no chance with near side group
tracked leaders near side, ridden and effort 2f out, not pace to challenge, kept on
raced near side mid-division, effort 2f out, not pace to trouble leaders
slowly into stride, raced near side mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never trouble leaders
held up behind near side, ridden halfway, soon beaten
raced near side, held up, not clear run and switched right 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders
raced near side mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
raced near side, held up behind, headway and switched right over 2f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong and soon clear
raced near side, held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
raced near side, behind, some headway on outer over 2f out, beaten when eased 1f out
prominent near side, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, soon weakened
held up near side, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to take 2nd close home, not trouble winner
raced near side, switched left soon after start, held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
raced near side mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, weakened quickly over 1f out
started slowly, soon switched left to near side, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, soon one pace, never troubled leaders
raced near side mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
held up behind near side, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, raced near side, always in rear group
prominent near side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
led narrowly on near side rail, ridden over 2f out, joined approaching final furlong, no extra when headed inside final furlong
raced near side, held up towards rear, switched right over 1f out, kept on nearest finish
led far side duo to 3f out, weakened quickly
In what is a real nightmare for punters, only a tentative vote goes to Giganticus over Dunelight, Sir Gerrard, Crime Scene and Military Cross to name but a few. The majority of these three-year-olds are open to tons of improvement, not least Giganticus who in hindsight faced a tall-order in coming up against Jersey Stakes-bound Levera on his Newmarket reappearance. The Barry Hills-trained colt has been saved for this competitve handicap since, and should have no problem staying the extra furlong. With the field likely to split into two groups, he should get plenty of room on the far rail from stall 29 and should run a big race. Clive Cox won this three years ago with New Seeker and has another lively candidate in the shape of Dunelight who was a creditable third to Papal Bull no less on his Newmarket reappearance. The drop back to a mile did the trick on his return to headquarters,and he looks all set to make his presence felt as well. Sir Gerrard was an unlucky loser in the Silver Bowl at Haydock when failing to get through in time, and despite a 5lb higher mark, he should not be left out of calculations. Drawn low in stall two, he can prove dangerous if Jamie Spencer does not overdo the waiting tactics again. Mark Johnston very seldom leaves Royal Ascot empty handed, so Crime Scene is worth noting as well. He nearly landed a gamble when touched off at York, and as that was over further, he will appreciate a strong gallop. Military Cross can take a keen hold and is interesting back over a mile on better ground, especially with Kieren Fallon on board. The list is endless really, and there will no doubt be a few plunges on the run-up to the race, but we shall stay loyal to Giganticus who has more scope than most.
Zato (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased winner, upsides 4f out until ridden 2f out and weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 4 1/2l behind Red Clubs (9-0) at Newbury 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Upper Hand 7-2 (9-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Levera (8-13) at York 7f lst hcp (1) gs in May.
Art Market (CAN) 12-1 (8-13) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 5l behind Racer Forever (8-13) at Epsom 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Layazaal (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up rear, headway approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead line, won at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May beating Multakka (8-11) by a hd, 10 ran.
Military Cross 10-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, 14th straight, good headway on outside when went sharply left 2f out, continued to hang left and ran on over 1f out but no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2).
Desert Realm (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Isidore Bonheur (9-5) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-95 (3) frm.
Dark Islander (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, effort on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach front pair, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Orchard Supreme (8-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (3) pol in May.
Dunelight (IRE) 10-3 (8-6) Made virtually all, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in May beating Regal Royale (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Giganticus (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Raced stands side, in touch, led that group over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Levera (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Kalankari (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Keen, chased leaders, ridden and every chance from over 1f out until no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Anna Pavlova (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (2) hvy in May.
Guest Connections 25-1 (9-1) Reared badly leaving stalls, always tailed off, last of 13, well behind Wavertree Warrior (9-0) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Dingaan (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Steadied rear, last straight, ridden on outer 3f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 8l behind Racer Forever (8-13) at Epsom 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Dubai Typhoon (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride and always behind, 12th of 13, 15l behind Song of Passion (8-10) at Epsom 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Regal Royale 9-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, last straight, never a factor, 12th of 15, 8l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Anna Pavlova (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (2) hvy in May.
Sir Gerard 7-2 (9-0) Held up, not much room over 5f out, headway 2f out, not clear run and switched right just over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly, 2nd of 7, nk behind Anna Pavlova (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (2) hvy in May.
Crime Scene (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, led inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 8, shd behind Reem Three (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Archerfield Links (USA) 11-1 (8-13) In rear, good headway from 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol in Apr beating Scot Love (8-7) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Always prominent, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in May beating Malech (9-1) by 5l, 16 ran.
Easy Air Evensfav (8-10) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along to chase leading pair over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, driven, strong challenge near finish, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Orchard Supreme (8-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (3) pol in M.
Champions Gallery 9-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, headway to join leaders 4f out, ridden, every chance 1f out, faded, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Layazaal (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Gandor (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) In touch, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakening when bumped over 1f out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Art Deco (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Porters (USA) 13-2 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never reached leaders and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind Dingaan (8-5) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol in May.
Direct Debit (IRE) 2-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon driven, headed and no extra near line, 2nd of 7, hd behind Crime Scene (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Jumbajukiba 7-2 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden and effort well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Music Note (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (3) sft in May.
Motaraqeb 2-1fav (9-3) Dwelt, held up, keen early, headway over 2f out, soon chasing winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Music Note (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (3) sft in May.
Supaseus 9-4fav (9-3) Dwelt, hampered start, with leader after 1f, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and ran on to lead again post, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in May beating Incidentally (9-3) by a hd, 11 ran.
Smart Enough 11-10fav (9-3) Made all, drew clear over 1f out, kept up to work final furlong, comfortably, won at Goodwood 1m 3yo mdn (4) sft in May beating Danski (9-3) by 4l, 6 ran.
Master Pegasus 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Newbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) sft in May beating Usk Poppy (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bonnie Prince Blue 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 23l behind Peppertree Lane (8-11) at York 1m 3yo hcp (2) sft in May.
