Unbeaten as a two-year-old, PINATUBO has proved less dominant so far this year with defeats in the 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot last time, though he wasn’t beaten far in either contest. This return to 7f can see Charlie Appleby’s colt back to winning ways as he should have the measure of Jersey Stakes winner Molatham with the other UK raiders, Malotru and Kinross, looking up against it. The Ballydoyle duo Lope Y Fernandez and Arizona also have plenty to find but the home challenge looks stronger. Andre Fabre runs French 2000 Guineas third Alson, who finished ahead of Kenway on that occasion and is also preferred to Group 3 winner and stablemate Tropbeau, while Wooded looked an improving colt when landing a Group 3 over 6f at Chantilly on his reappearance.
Molatham 11-2 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, closed over 3f out, challenged going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed narrowly and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead again towards finish, won at Ascot 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Jun beating Monarch Of Egypt (9-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Wooded (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) won at Chantilly 6f Grp 3 stks gs in May beating Alocasia (8-9) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Alson (GER) 13-2 (9-2) 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Victor Ludorum (9-2) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Jun.
Lope Y Fernandez (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Raced centre, mid-division, not much room and switched right over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 16, 9 1/4l behind Golden Horde (9-0) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Pinatubo (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Held up in rear, angled out and good headway between horses over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, led 100 yards out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Palace Pier (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Well Of Wisdom 9-2 (9-7) Led, headed over 5f out, prominent, ridden to lead again entering final furlong, soon edged right, all out, won at Sandown 7f hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Tomfre (8-12) by shd, 8 ran.
Kenway (FR) (8-11) 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind National Service (8-11) at Chantilly 1m Grp 3 gs in Jun.
Arizona (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on inside, weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Palace Pier (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Kinross 20-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 15, 7l behind Kameko (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Malotru 2-1fav (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, soon switched right, ran on strongly and hung left inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 13, nk behind Dubai Station (9-1) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Jun.
Tropbeau 5-4 (8-13) 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Dream And Do (8-13) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Jun.
