held up behind, ridden over 3f out, never a factor
held up, behind on outer, ridden, headway and effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, towards rear, some late headway over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, lost touch 3f out, weakened quickly
in touch, ridden 3f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no extra, kept on same pace, not troubled winner
in touch on inner, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again from over 1f out but not reached leaders
prominent, led over 2f out, driven and soon clear, eased close home
held up, headway 2f out, stayed on well final furlong nearest finish
behind, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, but no chance with winner
tracked leader, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakening when hampered and checked well over 1f out, soon eased
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on from 2f out but never dangerous
in rear and ridden, reminders after 1f, never a factor
mid-division, ridden and headway wide over 2f out, never troubled leaders
behind, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, kept on nearest finish
held up, ridden and some headway 2f out, never dangerous
led, headed over 6f out, stayed prominent until ridden 5f out, soon weakened
Pearly King can keep up the good work, with Linas Selection, Bandama, Idarah and King Charlemagne all respected in the finale. This is yet another race that Sir Michael Stoute does well in, having won three of the last eight runnings, and indeed he and Mark Johnston have shared four of the last five runnings. In addition, Stoute has also had four placed, with Johnston reaching the frame with two others. The race also tends to be dominated by runners from big stables, with progressive handicap form a must. With those facts to go on, the one that very much catches the eye is Pearly King, unbeaten in all three outings this term. The son of Kingmambo has improved for the step up in trip, and after bursting through to score on his latest outing at Newbury, connections indicated that today's race was the immediate target. That latest victory came on soft ground but he was successful on fast going at Redcar the time before, and lines up strongly fancied to complete the four-timer. Mark Johnston saddles no less than four runners, with Kevin Darley on board Linas Selection who dominated a small field at Sandown. This is tougher, but he is another with more to offer, along with Bandama who displayed plenty of stamina when accounting for Quince at Leicester. Idarah came off second best in a tremendous battle with another of today's rivals Lake Poet at Newmarket, and there should be little between the pair again, while King Charlemagne might not have beaten much at Redcar but did it nicely enough and has place claims. Pearly King has the best credentials though and is the one to be on.
The Last Drop (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 29l behind Septimus (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Pearly King (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, steady headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, shaken up, ran on well, comfortably, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May beating Salute The General (8-4) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Hard To Explain (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Lake Poet (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gs in May.
Balanced Budget 15-2 (8-12) Held up on inside, pushed along 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Lake Poet (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gs in May.
Idarah (USA) 11-4fav (8-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, hung left and headed close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Lake Poet (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gs in May.
Bandama (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Chased leader over 6f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on, won at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf beating Quince (9-6) by 2l, 11 ran.
London Express (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 8th and ridden straight, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 15, 7l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Linas Selection Evensfav (9-4) Led, pushed along, joined from 3f out, stayed on gamely to assert inside final furlong, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Salute The General (8-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
Lake Poet (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd straight, outpaced when not much room inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Beau Nash (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, steady headway on outside some 3f out, to press leaders over 2f out, outpaced inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 4l behind Pearly King (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, switched to outside, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May beating Nesno (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Enjoy The Moment 11-1 (8-11) Led for 2f, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) frm beating Alasoun (8-11) by 4l, 9 ran.
Road To Love (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Formal Decree (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Numeric (GER) 4-1jt-fav (8-9) Chased leaders, effort on rails to chase leader 2f out, to over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 4th of 15, 4l behind Pearly King (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Fiddlers Wood 33-1 (8-11) Soon in touch, lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 14l behind Layazaal (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Salute The General 8-1 (8-9) In touch, 5th straight, ridden when hampered 2f out, never dangerous after, 7th of 15, 6l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Doctor Scott 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Reem Three (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Gracechurch (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, disputing 14th straight, made headway final furlong, never reached leaders, 8th of 15, 7l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Beckett Hall (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-3) Took keen hold and soon pressed leader, every chance over 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Simondiun (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in May.
