tracked leaders, led on inner 4f out, clear 2f out, reduced lead and strongly pressed when veered sharply left 1f out, soon headed and not recover
tracked leaders, ridden from 4f out, no impression from 3f out, 6th and kept on same pace on inner final furlong
towards rear, progress into 8th 3f out, ridden 6th 2f out, kept on final furlong, went 2nd close home
mid-division, 4th 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra
rear of mid-division, progress before straight, ridden in close 3rd when badly hampered 1f out, not recover and kept on one pace
dwelt slightly, in rear, progress into 8th 2f out, switched to outer and headway 1 1/2f out, carried slightly left inside final furlong, soon led, ran on strongly close home
led, pushed along before halfway, headed 4f out, soon no impression
mid-division, progress into 3rd 2 1/2f out, ridden to dispute lead when carried sharply left 1f out, soon headed and not recover
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4f out
prominent, ridden and weakened from 5f out, soon trailing
rear of mid-division, 8th on outer 3f out, soon no extra
A fascinating rematch for the protagonists of the Vodafone Derby at Epsom with New Approach, TARTAN BEARER and Casual Conquest - first, second and third earlier in the month - all crossing swords once again. The first-named is odds-on to confirm the form after his Epsom heroics but it is Tartan Bearer who is suggested to come out on top this time at the prices. A split-second decision by jockey Kevin Manning to switch towards the inside rail proved crucial while Ryan Moore brought the runner-up with a sustained run down the centre of the track and the length that Manning poached proved vital as the pair fought out a dramatic climax. There will be far less in the way of traffic issues in this smaller field and the difference between the two is not as great as the bookmakers would have us believe. There was a sizeable gap back to favourite Casual Conquest in third and there will be surely more to come from him this season. He could get closer to the front two this time but getting past will be another matter. Johnny Murtagh has opted to ride sixth-placed Alessandro Volta but he was beaten fair and square on Derby day. The one horse to disappoint at Epsom was Curtain Call with Jamie Spencer seemingly unhappy from an early stage. This galloping track and easier ground should see him in a much better light but doubts remain as to whether he is really a Group 1 performer.
