slowly into stride, soon tracked leader, led over 3f out, sent for home over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
took keen hold tracking, leading pair, went 2nd 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, effort towards inside under pressure over 1f out, no impression final furlong
took keen hold, held up in 4th, pushed along and outpaced as pace lifted 4f out, plugged on into modest 3rd well over 1f out, never any chance
led at steady pace and brought field off inside rail throughout, quickened 4f out, headed over 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd 3f out, soon beaten, weakened into 4th well over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
The bottom pair look outclassed and Ernest Hemingway has been declared doubtful as has Mount Athos, who won this a year ago. This leaves HILLSTAR, who beat Battle Of Marengo to land the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot before running exclusively at Group 1 level, with little left to beat. He went to Dubai earlier this season where he ran poorly in the World Cup but he is smart and should win good races this season. His main rival is Brown Panther, who runs in the colours of Michael Owen and is smart on his day.
Brown Panther 14-1 (8-9) 8th of 24, 7l behind Fiorente (8-9) at Flemington(AUS) 2m Grp 1 hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Hillstar 14-1 (9-0) 14th of 16, 20l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar.
Banoffee (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) last of 6, 8l behind L'amour De Ma Vie (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 flls gd in Feb.
Jathabah (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Raced far side, led overall until over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 11l behind Sound Hearts (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gf in Oct.
Ernest Hemingway (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) 8th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Certerach (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Mount Athos (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) 8th of 15, 3l behind Gentildonna (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
