tracked leading pair, pushed along over 4f out, went 3rd over 3f out, soon driven along and no chance with leading duo
led over 2f, pressed leader, led again halfway, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on strongly
in rear, pushed along and struggling over 3f out, never a factor
pressed winner, led on inside 8f out and pulled hard, headed halfway, chased winner until over 4f out, chased leading pair until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in last pair, reminder 4f out, went moderate 4th final furlong
tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden and no impression when hung left over 1f out
Nonrunner
This looks an above-average renewal and Danadana has more to do than when successful 12 months ago, though will strip fitter for his run in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket. Noble Mission was given plenty of rope when making all in the Gordon Richard Stakes at Sandown last month but may not be able to dominate here as Ektihaam, who won a Listed race at Ascot around this time last year, also likes to force the pace. TELESCOPE finished nine lengths behind Noble Mission at Sandown but looked in need of the run and performed accordingly. He'll have no excuses today and will have to win this if he's going to justify his trainer's high opinion. Aidan O'Brien runs Afonso De Sousa but nothing he's shown so far suggests he'll be good enough. Edu Querido caught the eye at Meydan earlier this year, however, and Highland Knight is still capable at this level.
Danadana (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Mull Of Killough (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Noble Mission 4-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr beating Telescope (9-0) by 9l, 5 ran.
Edu Querido (BRZ) 33-1 (9-0) 6th of 13, 4l behind Vercingetorix (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) std in Mar.
Ektihaam (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led until 3f out, chased leader until over 2f out, weakened quickly, tailed off and eased, last of 8, well behind Novellist (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Gabrial's Kaka (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Held up in last pair, headway under pressure on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Yourartisonfire (7-12) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
Telescope (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Noble Mission (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
Highland Knight (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Captain Cat (9-5) at Lingfield 1m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Apr.
Afonso De Sousa (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, 19th of 21, 36l behind Stuccodor (9-9) at Curragh 1m Premier Handicap (4yo+) in Mar.
