held up towards rear, effort on outside and hung right under pressure inside final 2f, no impression final furlong
close up in 5th, closed on bit over 2f out, led just inside final 2f, quickened clear over 1f out, impressive
raced keenly, held up in 6th, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
pulled hard, tracked leader, closed from 3f out, led briefly 2f out, chased winner but outpaced after, kept on gamely final furlong to hold 2nd near finish
held up in last trio and never travelling well, effort on wide outside and driven over 1f out, no impression
set steady pace until kicked on over 5f out and soon clear, headed 2f out, weakened quickly
took keen hold, raced in close 4th on outer, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on and ridden to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, not much room just over 2f out, soon lost place and beaten
held up in 7th, ridden and effort 2f out, soon no impression and one pace
slowly into stride, held up in rear, good headway on rails when badly hampered 2f out, not recover, kept on final furlong
As usual, this is a race to savour and the selection of Warrsan to confirm Epsom form with Doyen is based as much on value and sentiment as it is on the evidence of this season. Valle Enchantee also has to be given the most serious of mentions as her connections, who made no secret of their displeasure that she did not win the Coronation Cup, have sought the assistance of Olivier Peslier in their bid to redress the balance. Sulamani will also be very dangerous to rule out as he has always been a better horse at this trip and should at lest reverse Newmarket form with Bandari off level weights. Like Gamut, his participation had been in some doubt earlier in the week but, as openings are running out for him, he will be going hell for leather whatever the state of the ground is today. The fact that Frankie Dettori deserts him today does not necessarily sound the death knell for him and it will take a good one to overhaul him if he puts it all in today. Hard Buck is a difficult one to assess as he never raced on these shore prior to this afternoon. He is a Grade One winner from the States though and is entitled to take his chance. He has been given time to acclimatise by lodging at Geoff Wragg's yard and his trainer, Ken McPeek, will take some valuable notes as he steps about his ambition to trainer the winner of this race. Tycoon, third in the Irish Derby last month, could be the surprise package of the race and is the sole representative from the Classic generation. The three-year-olds dominated the finish of this last term, with only Sulamani splitting Alamshar and Kris Kin on the line. A glance further down the placings brings us to Warrsan, who ran beyond expectations to finish an admirable sixth. Clive Brittain's entire has improved greatly since then and, with his attitude unquestionable, Warrsan can again frustrate Godolphin and edge out Doyen, who is very much respected but makes far less appeal than the selection at the prices.
