raced in moderate 3rd, closer order straight travelling smoothly, led from under 1f out, soon asserted, easily
held up towards rear, under pressure in last early straight, soon no impression, one pace
led, pressed straight, joined from under 2f out, headed from under 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, closer order approaching straight, soon pushed along, challenged 2f out, soon wandered about and on terms, no extra from under 1f out in 3rd, one pace
held up towards rear, under pressure in 4th early straight, soon no impression, one pace
With the exception of Ponfeigh, who has completed a double in maiden and conditions company, all of these ran in the Epsom Derby won, of course, by AUSTRALIA. The Ballydoyle colt was always travelling well that day and though runner-up Kingston Hill tried hard to peg him back he couldn't quite find the necessary pace in the closing stages. The latter's handler Roger Varian appears confident that the form can be reversed, though it's difficult to see why, and the winner should continue his trainer's phenomenal record in today's event. Dermot Weld believes Fascinating Rock can do better than his eighth place at Epsom though his hat-trick of victories were achieved with plenty of give in the ground. The remaining Ballydoyle trio were well beaten. Geoffrey Chaucer finished last and was behind Fascinating Rock at Leopardstown while Kingfisher was further behind Dermot Weld's charge at Navan earlier. Orchestra was repeatedly impeded and didn't handle the Surrey track so that run can be ignored and his earlier victory over Epsom third Romsdal in the Chester Vase suggests he's the best hope to cause an upset.
Australia 11-8fav (9-0) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, 2nd entering final 2f, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd beating Kingston Hill (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Fascinating Rock (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, ridden disputing modest 5th over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 16, 12l behind Australia (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
Kingfisher (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, losing place when hampered just inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 15l behind Australia (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
Orchestra (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, struggling when hung left over 2f out, never on terms, 12th of 16, 18l behind Australia (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
Ponfeigh (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Dwelt, ran free in 4th early, switched right 2f out and progress to lead 1f out, kept on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Navan 1m 3yo stk gf beating Nonchalant (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Geoffrey Chaucer (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, behind and virtually pulled up final 3f, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Australia (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
Kingston Hill 15-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, stayed on well for clear 2nd, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Australia (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
