chased leaders, last approaching halfway, pushed along 2f out, no impression 1f out, soon no extra
soon in rear, a little keen, 5th approaching halfway, pushed along 2f out and progress, kept on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, on terms approaching halfway, soon gained narrow lead, pushed along 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
dwelt, chased leaders, pushed along halfway in 4th, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon led, joined approaching halfway, soon narrowly headed and pushed along, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
Suedois heads the official ratings after spending almost his entire career racing at the highest level including twice finishing in a place behind Limato in Group 1's. He didn't enjoy the soft ground on his reappearance in the Duke Of York but if the rain stays away he has an obvious chance. The 2015 Queen Mary winner ACAPULCO (NAP), runner-up to Mecca's Angel in the Nunthorpe a few weeks later, won twice for Wesley Ward in the USA last year and has joined Aidan O'Brien. She made a very impressive debut for the yard here earlier this month when beating the excellent yardstick Ardhoomey and looks a high-class recruit for Ballydoyle. Downforce is a real soft-ground specialist and connections will be hoping for a downpour though he has won on good ground. Mobsta, who won the race a year ago, looks to be facing better opposition this time.
Blue De Vega (GER) 2-1 (9-7) Led, travelling well 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Diamond Fields (9-4) at Naas 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Apr.
Downforce (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden in 6th under 2f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 9, 7l behind Washington Dc (9-12) at Navan 5f lst stks (1) gd in Apr.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, soon raced 3rd, no impression on leaders 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, dropped to 4th final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Custom Cut (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
Mobsta (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) In rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, went 4th towards finish, never able to get on terms, 4th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Tasleet (9-8) at York 6f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in May.
Suedois (FR) 11-2 (9-8) Prominent, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Tasleet (9-8) at York 6f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in May.
Only Mine (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Waited with, no impression 2f out, some headway to chase winner 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 12 1/4l behind Downforce (9-7) at Cork 6f lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Acapulco (USA) 11-8fav (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along and progress to lead 1f out, ridden to assert and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 5f lst stks (1) gd in May beating Ardhoomey (9-10) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
