made all, ridden inside final furlong, held on near finish
in rear and in touch, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on and held near finish
tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear and in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
Royal Artillery didn’t settle when only fourth in the Gordon Richards Stakes on his reappearance and finished almost five lengths behind the front-running Deauville, who was eventually second. This sharper track may suit the Gosden entry but he still has a bit to prove in this grade. Poet's Word has been mopping up in handicaps and a step up to this level was inevitable. His trainer has a fantastic record in this Group 3 and he shouldn’t be disgraced but Gabrial was only fourth last year and isn’t getting any younger. FOLKSWOOD was only beaten half-a-length in a Group 1 at Meydan in March and was then only collared close home in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket. He’s turned into a very consistent performer at this sort of level and can resume winning ways here.
Deauville (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Led, pushed along and quickened over 2f out, ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on until headed and not pace of winner well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Ulysses (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Folkswood 5-2fav (8-13) Led, increased pace 3f out, ridden and hung right entering final furlong, driven and hung right and headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Steel of Madrid (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Gabrial (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up last, headway on inside 2f out, ridden and switched left chased leaders ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on but always held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Sovereign Debt (9-1) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Poet's Word (IRE) 8-11fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, switched right 2f out, soon every chance, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Apr beating Intrude (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Royal Artillery (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, challenged going well 2f out, ridden and still every chance over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, edged left under pressure and weakened towards finish, 4th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Ulysses (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Snoano 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, headway on inside 2f out, soon switched right and tracked leader, led going well approaching final furlong, soon pushed clear, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Final (8-9) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.