tracked leader to 4f out, remained in 3rd, hard ridden 3f out, chased winner inside final 2f, challenged inside final furlong, soon driven and always held near finish
took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to dispute 3rd from over 1f out until final 100yds
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway on outside and found trouble 4f out, ridden to dispute 3rd over 1f out, no extra final 100yds
pulled hard, steadied in last pair after 1f, switched to outside and driven over 2f out, stayed on same pace and no impression after
took keen hold tracking leaders on outside, went 2nd 4f out, led 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, kept on gamely and always holding runner up
held up in 5th, found trouble 4f out, driven along and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final 100yds but no chance with front pair
This promises to be an intriguing tactical clash between Scorpion and Maraahel, with the latter taken to turn the tables, and of the rest, Linas Selection can figure prominently. Last month's Coronation Cup at Epsom proved to be a bit of a farce, with Septimus slowing it down and speeding things up in the lead before stablemate Scorpion pounced to score. Maraahel just could not get into a stride, so in the circumstances did extremely well to get within less than two-lengths of the winner in finishing third. He can now renew rivalry on 5lb better terms, as he escapes a penalty for last year's win in this event, and is fancied to give Sir Michael Stoute a third Hardwick success. The rest are up against it, but anything that Mark Johnston saddles has to be respected given his Royal Ascot record, so Linas Selection is of some interest. Successful in last year's King George V Handicap here, he has not been seen since finishing third in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last August, but is sure to be fit and ready. Basically, Maraahel may not be good enough to land a Group 1, but he lines up with plenty going for him at this level and is the pick.
Scorpion (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Close up, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 2f out, driven and stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs beating Septimus (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Admiral's Cruise (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Held up in last place, improved 6f out, ridden 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Sixties Icon (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Akarem 4-1 (8-9) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Munsef (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (3) gd.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up in 4th, progress on outside over 1f out, took narrow lead, ridden inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, hd behind Maraahel (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Diamond Quest (SAF) (8-10) Raced in 4th, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on well, headed final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mystical (8-11) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp 0-110 gd in Mar.
Maraahel (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led to 7f out, stayed prominent, driven 2f out, stayed on to press for 2nd near finish but no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Scorpion (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Mighty 8-1 (9-0) Prominent, tracked leader over 4f out, led 3f out, hard pressed and headed over 1f out, rallied near finish, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Take A Bow (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Linas Selection 2-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led just under 2f out, headed just over 1f out, not pace of winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Sixties Icon (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
