tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd over 2f out until over 1f out, soon hung left, weakened well inside final furlong
mid-division, effort to chase leaders 2f out, bumped over 1f out, soon beaten
led, hung right most of final circuit, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, on wide outside 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway when not clear run 2f out, led entering final furlong, quickened away
dwelt, held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on without troubling leaders
held up an behind, not clear run from 2f out until headway over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, gap closed and badly hampered, immediately eased
mid-division, not clear run 2f out, pushed his way through over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, not trouble winner
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pressed leader, ridden 3f out, dropped out over 2f out, eased over 1f out
Macarthur has generally disappointed but now over a more suitable trip, this Montjeu colt is fancied to take the 2008 Ormande Stakes ahead of Bauer and Raincoat. Based on his two lengths sixth behind Lucarno in the St Ledger, the selection could prove hard to beat. Whilst he has never set foot on a racecourse even remotely akin to the Roodee. A recent pipe-opener over an inadequate trip should have brought him on, and likely to contest most of the big staying races this year, he can put up a bold show today. Numide failed to fulfil his promise over hurdles, but he does have a touch of class, whilst Raincoat made hard work of a recent win at Ripon and needs to improve markedly on that but he may well do so. Steppe Dancer performed above expectations last season, and he has run well here before, and he has won on each of his seasonal reappearances. Red Gala ran fairly well on his reappearance on ground that was certainly soft enough, and now on a quicker surface he can be more competitive, whilst Templetstern has solid form but ideally would want slower ground. Supersonic Dave needs to improve, and to also prove that he will stay this sort of trip, and so whilst Bauer could run well at a track where has had success in the past, it is Macarthur who gets the vote.
Steppe Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Towards rear, some progress entering straight, no extra from over 2f out, 7th of 9, 16l behind Yeats (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept.
Bauer (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and some headway when not clear run and switched right over 2f out, no further impression until stayed on final furlong, 9th of 14, 8l behind Royal And Regal (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
Carte Diamond (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Steadied start and held up in rear, headway over 3f out, switched right and driven over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Soapy Danger (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f stk (2) sft in Mar.
Jadalee (IRE) Mid-division, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed and weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 9l behind Book Of Music at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f hcp gd in Feb '07.
Macarthur 9-4fav (9-1) Held up, 7th straight, no impression from 2f out, 7th of 8, 14l behind Red Moloney (9-4) at Curragh 1m 2f lst stk (1) sft in Apr.
Numide (FR) (8-9) Held up, last straight, never in contention, 10th of 13, 9l behind Echo of Light (8-9) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Raincoat 10-11fav (8-8) Tracked leader, headway 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Ripon 1m 4f stk (3) gd in Apr beating Dunaskin (8-9) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Red Gala 9-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, 6th and held when squeezed entering final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Royal And Regal (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
Supersonic Dave (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling straight, 11th of 14, 12l behind Zaham (9-2) at Ascot 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Tempelstern (GER) 25-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Royal And Regal (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
The Last Drop (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 4f out, eased over 3f out, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Soapy Danger (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f stk (2) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
