tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led and hung left over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, one pace
MARCUS AUGUSTUS finished last in the Norfolk Stakes, since when he's been gelded, but previous runner-up efforts at Salisbury and Sandown give him the edge. He concedes 8lb to Royal Majestic including the latter's apprentice allowance but the filly didn't progress last time when unplaced behind Jubilance at Leicester and Royal Academician looks a more potent danger. Gary Moore's charge stayed on well at Epsom after a far from trouble-free passage and looks on the upgrade. Grand Rapids was very green on debut and didn't do badly to come home in mid-division. He'll improve for that and jockey bookings suggest that he's the preferred Godolphin contender, although the market should prove instructive in that respect.
Counterglow (IRE) Echo Of Light colt out of Quintellina.
Grand Rapids (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 12l behind Comical (9-3) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Marcus Augustus (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Raced stands side, chased leader that side until weakened over 2f out, last of 15, 16l behind Bapak Chinta (9-1) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Jun.
Royal Academician (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up mid-division, headway 3f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 2l behind Repeater (9-3) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Royal Majestic 9-2 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, stayed on same pace, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 17, 10l behind Jubilance (8-12) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Jul.
