prominent, ridden to challenge and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear on rails, not clear run briefly over 2f out, headway over 1f out, quickened final furlong to lead final 150 yards, soon clear
always about same place in mid-division
soon crossed over from wide draw, with leaders, driven 2f out, weakened rapidly
chased leaders, ridden to lead narrowly inside final 2f, not quicken inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, never reached challenging position
raced wide, held up, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always rear division
towards rear, never in contention
soon chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders to halfway, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, pushed along halfway, headway on wide outside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
behind on outside, driven 2f out, kept on final furlong, no danger
held up in mid-division, not clear run and switched right 2f out, no impression
held up in mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, but not reach leaders
held up in rear, ridden and headway from 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
held up behind leaders on outside, short lived effort 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
held up in rear, kept on under pressure final furlong, but never a danger
led to over 2f out, weakened rapidly
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, badly hampered 4f out, headway on wide outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong but not reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
held up in rear, steadily switched right to outside from halfway, effort 2f out, soon ridden and hung left, led over 1f out, continued to hang left, headed final 150 yards, not quicken
raced in mid-division, weakened over 2f out
Firenze can cap a terrific week for the Fanshawe-Spencer team, with One Putra, Kostar, Borderlescott, Beaver Patrol, Mutamared and Indian Trail just a few in with claims in the annual cavalry charge. This always goes to a fast improving handicapper, and over the past decade it has paid to stick with the four and five-year-olds. Add to that the big bias towards those drawn low this week, and the fact that James Fanshawe and Jamie Spencer have already collected two big handicaps with Cesare and Sir Gerard, and it would appear that Firenze is very much the one to beat despite the size of the field. The daughter of Efisio was delivered late to score at Goodwood a fortnight ago and picked up a penalty into the bargain. That ensured that she made the cut for today's contest, and she should make a bold bid. The trainer has stated that if the going is too firm she will not be risked, so a light shower or too can only help her chances. One Putra also carries a penalty and has to shoulder topweight, but showed that he can battle when winning at Windsor recently. He represents last year's Ifraaj combination of Michael Jarvis and Philip Robinson. Kostar has been primed with some useful all-weather form and hails from the stable that sent out New Seeker to land last year's Royal Cup, while Borderlescott stormed home at York and may have more to offer, despite reservations about the ground and draw. Beaver Patrol had Indian Trail behind when successful at Epsom, and it has to be said that the latter was unlucky-in-running. Dandy Nicholls used that same race as a prep for his 2004 Wokingham winner Lafi so he has to be on the short-list. Mutamared did not act at Epsom but had been in great form beforehand, while there has been plenty of support for Intrepid Jack who equalled the six-furlong course record at Newbury last term. All the better for a run out at York, he can go well for his in-form stable. There will no doubt be the odd steamer or two, but the statistics all point to Firenze.
One Putra (IRE) 7-2co-fav (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, hard driven final furlong, just held on, all out, won at Windsor 6f lst stk (1) gf beating Presto Shinko (9-4) by a hd, 10 ran.
Baltic King 16-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, near side, led over 2f out to over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 28, 1l behind Takeover Target (9-7) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Obe Gold 16-1 (9-6) Soon outpaced in rear, near reached leaders, 5th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Border Music (9-10) at Kempton 6f stk (3) pol in Apr.
Fire Up The Band 100-1 (9-2) Prominent near side to over 2f out, weakened quickly, 24th of 28, 11l behind Takeover Target (9-7) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Borderlescott 12-1 (9-1) Made all, driven 2f out, ridden approaching final furlong, edged left and ran on well, won at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in May beating Rising Shadow (8-6) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Texas Gold 100-1 (9-2) Raced far side, tracked leaders to over 2f out, weakened, 19th of 28, 8l behind Takeover Target (9-7) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Strike Up The Band 10-1 (9-4) Took keen hold in touch, narrow lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken final 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Kingsgate Prince (9-1) at Newbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Chookie Heiton (IRE) 40-1 (9-10) Towards rear and outpaced early, ridden over 2f out, headway to challenge entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Handsome Cross (7-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Bahiano (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Raced centre, behind, good headway over 1f out, ran on nearest finish, 3rd of 26, 3/4l behind Mutamared (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf in May.
Sir Edwin Landseer (USA) 25-1 (9-11) Steadied start, well in rear, some headway from 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 6l behind Firenze (9-3) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Greenslades 5-1co-fav (8-13) Always prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May beating Idle Power (8-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
Yomalo (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Settled 3rd, ridden straight, challenged well inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 6f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf beating Noelani (9-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Just James 33-1 (9-10) Slowly away, always tailed off, last of 17, well behind Beaver Patrol (9-1) at Epsom 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Merlin's Dancer 16-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance final furlong, kept on, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Handsome Cross (7-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Intrepid Jack 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 2l behind Borderlescott (9-1) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in May.
Bahamian Pirate (USA) 25-1 (9-9) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly just inside final furlong, soon headed, not quicken, 3rd of 17, 1/2l behind Beaver Patrol (9-1) at Epsom 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Mutamared (USA) 8-1co-fav (8-13) Started slowly, raced centre, behind, soon hung left, kept on final 2f, never near leaders, 9th of 20, 4l behind Desert Lord (8-8) at Epsom 5f hcap (2) gf.
Connect 11-1 (9-4) In touch stand side group, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Don Pele (8-9) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Peace Offering (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance entering final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, nk behind Handsome Cross (7-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Distinctly Game 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over halfway and soon lost place, weakening when not much room entering final furlong, last of 16, 11l behind Handsome Cross (7-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Zomerlust 10-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 9th of 20, 5l behind Partners In Jazz (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in May.
Indian Trail 9-2fav (9-6) Mid-division, keeping on when hampered over 1f out, stayed on one pace after, 5th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Beaver Patrol (9-1) at Epsom 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Judd Street 6-1fav (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Handsome Cross (7-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Kostar 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) gd in May beating Munaddam (9-6) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Beaver Patrol (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Epsom 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Prince Namid (9-2) by a nk, 17 ran.
High Reach 100-1 (8-12) Held up in touch on outer, ridden 3f out, soon lost place, 26th of 27, 31l behind Uhoomagoo (8-9) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Firenze 3-1fav (9-3) Steadied start, settled behind leaders, ridden to lead going well over 1f out, soon in command, driven out, won at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Border Music (8-9) by 1l, 14 ran.
Commando Scott (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, shaken up 2f out, never near leaders, 9th of 17, 4l behind Beaver Patrol (9-1) at Epsom 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
