led early, soon tracked leaders, challenged and on terms 2f out, no impression on winner and kept on same pace closing stages
pushed along to soon track leaders, 6th halfway, under pressure 2f out, dropped to last and no impression 1f out
uneasy in stalls, soon tracked leader, challenged and on terms 2f out, soon headed and under pressure, 5th 1f out, no impression
soon prominent, 4th 2f out, soon under pressure, 6th 1f out, no impression
soon led, pressed and joined 2f out, asserted under pressure closing stages, stayed on well
soon settled in rear, under pressure 2f out but soon headway on outer, 3rd 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up, 5th halfway, switched right and ridden 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
The Hannon team won this with Lilbourne Lad in 2011 and Kool Kompany will be fancied despite losing his unbeaten record in the Coventry Stakes where he probably found the ground too lively. War Envoy also disappointed and he's another who could do with some rain. CAPPELLA SANSEVERO, who was bought for £1.3m pre-race after winning his first three, couldn't quite retain his unbeaten record in that Group 2 but lost little in defeat, coming with a late run but finding the winner had flown - compensation awaits here. Battle Of Marathon overcame obvious signs of inexperience to win comfortably at Leopardstown and there will be plenty more to come from the son of War Front out of the Rockfel winner Sayrdah. Ahlan Emarati won a little race at Bath on his debut before a very good third place in the Norfolk Stakes and today's extra furlong looks certain to suit as he was finishing with a flourish at Ascot.
Ahlan Emarati (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, pushed along and outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, stayed on into 3rd close home, never going pace to reach leading duo, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Baitha Alga (9-1) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Settled in mid-division, 6th 3f out, ridden over 2f out and improved into 2nd on rail under 2f out, led 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn gf beating I Will Excel (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Cappella Sansevero 6-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway near side over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well and went 2nd post, not pace to reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind The Wow Signal (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd.
I Will Excel (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Settled in mid-division, 4th 3f out, ridden under 2f out and improved into 3rd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong and kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Battle Of Marathon (9-5) at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn gf.
Kool Kompany (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, moderate progress final furlong, never figured, 12th of 15, 5l behind The Wow Signal (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd.
Rapid Applause 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 5th 2f out on inner, soon pushed along, 4th 1f out, soon switched right, led inside final 100yds, stayed on well, won at Cork 6f 2yo mdn in Apr beating The Warrior (9-5) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
War Envoy (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and no immediate response 2f out, headway near side and wandered over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 9th of 15, 3 1/2l behind The Wow Signal (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd.
Vert De Grece (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, improved into 5th under 2f out, kept on well from 1f out, not reaching winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Convergence (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gd.
