held up in 5th, headway over 2f out, stayed on to 4th over 2f out, never going pace to reach leaders and run flattened out inside final furlong
led until 3f out, chased leader until over 2f out, weakened quickly, tailed off and eased
took keen hold, tracked leading pair 2f, settled in 4th, went 3rd again over 2f out, led 2f out, soon edged right, clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, impressive
held up in rear, went poor 6th over 1f out, never a factor
chased leader, led 3f out, headed 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd when slightly tightened up well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in last pair, never figured
held up in 6th, headway on outside over 1f out, went 3rd 1f out and battled on but never any chance with impressive winner
took keen hold racing wide, went 3rd 10f out, went 2nd 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out until winner went by and slightly tightened up, stayed on to hold 2nd but no chance with impressive winner
A multiple Group 1 winner including the Champion Stakes here in 2011, CIRRUS DES AIGLES is a cut above these. He needed last season's pipe-opener and that proved to be the case again this year when he finished behind the German challenger Novellist at Saint Cloud last month. He can reverse running with the latter and has the beating of compatriot Very Nice Name on collateral form. Ektihaam is likely to make this a true test having slipped up when attempting to make all in the Hardwicke here last month though Universal also likes to race prominently and made every yard at Newmarket last time. Hillstar landed a Group 2 at the Royal meeting and Trading Leather had Derby winner Ruler Of The World back in fifth when landing the Irish equivalent at the Curragh last time. However, the much travelled Red Cadeaux could prove the main danger if back to his best though it's difficult to see any of these getting the better of the high-class French raider.
Cirrus Des Aigles (FR) Evensfav (9-2) 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Novellist (9-2) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Jun.
Ektihaam (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Led after 1f, clear when slipped up on bend inside final mile, in a race won by Thomas Chippendale (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun, 8 ran.
Novellist (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) won at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Jun beating Dunaden (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Red Cadeaux 12-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, no progress final 2f, never a factor, 9th of 11, 15l behind Al Kazeem (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Universal (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Made all, set steady pace, quickened pace from 3f out, ran on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf beating Ahzeemah (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Very Nice Name (FR) 66-1 (8-13) 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind St Nicholas Abbey (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Hillstar 15-2 (8-12) In rear, headway over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, led last 50 yards, kept on well, won at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun beating Battle Of Marengo (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Trading Leather (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, closer order going well into straight, 2nd and challenged 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, pressed and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Galileo Rock (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
