held up, 6th halfway and pushed along, improved to chase winner inside final furlong, soon one pace
a little keen early, prominent, soon 2nd, travelling smoothly until pushed along to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong and asserted closing stages
held up, 5th halfway, still travelling smoothly over 2f out, pushed along and closed up over 1f out, soon no impression and one pace
tracked leaders, soon 4th, pushed along after halfway, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon headway, no extra and one pace under 1f out
soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
a little keen early, prominent, soon 3rd, pushed along after halfway, chased winner inside final furlong and kept on same pace
Charlie Appleby sends a pair to tackle the home contingent and though AQABAH only got home by a head at Ascot he had a bit in hand and can remain unbeaten. Stable companion Gold Town made a successful debut at Newbury and may not have been suited by the Tapeta when odds-on at Newcastle. Aidan O'Brien runs a trio with easy Cork maiden winner Sioux Nation possibly the best though he was firmly put in his place by Brother Bear at Leopardstown earlier and Jessica Harrington's colt heads the home challenge.
Aqabah (USA) 9-4jfav (9-2) Held up in touch, ran green and pushed along halfway, shaken up over 1f out, stayed on strongly for mainly hand riding well inside final furlong, led last strides, won at Ascot 5f stks (3) gf in May beating Jellmood (9-2) by hd, 6 ran.
Brother Bear (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Settled 4th, progress to 3rd approaching straight, pushed along to 2nd 1 1/2f out, headway to lead inside final 150 yards, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 6f mdn gf in May beating Sioux Nation (9-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Gold Town 8-13fav (9-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd and every chance 2f out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Rajasinghe (9-2) at Newcastle 6f stks (4) pol in May.
Mount Wellington (IRE) 1-2fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders in 4th, pushed along halfway, ridden in moderate 3rd 2f out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Sirici (9-2) at Dundalk 5f pol in Apr.
Sioux Nation (USA) 2-11fav (9-5) Broke well, tracked leaders, progress to lead under 2f out, drew clear inside final furlong, kept on well, easily, won at Cork 6f mdn gd in May beating Yulong Warrior (9-5) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
U S Navy Flag (USA) 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along 1 1/2f out, close 3rd 1f out, soon no impression and kept on without matching 1st 2, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Black Sails (8-12) at Curragh 6f gd in May.
Would Be King (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Dwelt, held up, 10th halfway, headway from over 1f out, chased winner and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Beckford (9-5) at Curragh 6f mdn gd in May.
