tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, kept on gamely well inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, driven out and edged right towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, weakened over 3f out
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly well over 1f out, kept on gamely to hold 2nd towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong
chased leader, pushed along over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
This prize can wend it's way to Freemason Lodge but choosing between the trio is far from easy but we'll row in with Ryan Moore and side with CONDUIT ahead of Tartan Bearer and Ask. Ballydoyle also have a strong hand as one would expect and they have been successful in the last two renewals. Rockhampton was employed as a pacemaker in the Irish Derby and could fulfil the same function here although Golden Sword always has plenty of use made of him and should be well positioned if they get their fractions right. Frozen Fire benefited from a strong pace when winning a contentious Irish Derby last year and cannot be ignored. He may have finished behind Ask in the Coronation but had failed to handle Epsom in the Derby last year and his only other run this year can be ignored. This will be the first time that he has had his conditions and he could run a big race. Look Here was in front of him at Epsom and didn't enjoy the run of the race on her subsequent outing; she is a top class filly and doesn't have a great deal to find with the best of the colts. Alwaary is improving rapidly and looked an unlucky loser at Newmarket but this is a much stronger contest and will require him to take another big leap forward in a relatively short space of time. Ask is tough and versatile but the focus is on the Ballymacoll Stud owned pair with preference for Conduit. Tartan Bearer may have finished placed in two Derbys but he has never won over twelve furlongs and that has to count as the deciding factor. It may well suit as he went in vain pursuit of Vision D'Etat at the Royal meeting but Conduit has the stronger form. The Leger and Breeders' Cup Turf winner has, a little surprisingly, been campaigned over ten furlongs this term. He came within a nose of conceding 7lbs to the smart Cima De Triomphe on his seasonal return before beating all bar Sea The Stars and Rip Van Winkle in an Eclipse run in a record time for the race. He was outpaced by the best of the Classic generation there but steps back up in trip at a course where he's run well in the past and Conduit can take the plaudits.
Ask 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leading pair, 3rd straight, led over 2f out, hard ridden and strongly pressed throughout final furlong, stayed on and held on gamely, won at Epsom Downs 1m 4f stks (1) gd in Jun beating Youmzain (9-0) by ns, 8 ran.
Conduit (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leading pair well over 1f out, hung right under pressure, no impression over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Sea The Stars (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd.
Frozen Fire (GER) 17-2 (9-0) Soon led, came off rails in straight, hung back left and badly hampered rival well over 2f out, headed over 2f out, stayed challenging, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Ask (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f stks (1) gd in Jun.
Scintillo 10-1 (9-2) 7th of 10, 19l behind Spanish Moon (9-2) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 4f stk in Jun.
Tartan Bearer (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) In touch on outside, chased leader and effort over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, not pace of winner, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Vision D'etat (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Look Here 11-8fav (9-9) Settled behind leaders in 5th, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on close home, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Dar Re Mi (9-9) at Curragh 1m 2f gd in Jun.
Alwaary (USA) 12-1 (8-3) Held up in rear, good headway when badly hampered on rail over 1f out, soon switched left, ridden and ran on towards finish, unlucky (finished 3rd placed 2nd), 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Doctor Fremantle (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f stks (1) gd.
Golden Sword 11-1 (9-0) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, closer 5f out, improved to lead under 4f out, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Fame And Glory (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 gd in Jun.
Rockhampton (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden into 4th 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Famous Name (9-7) at Curragh 1m 1f Grp 3 gd.
