in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ran onto lead towards finish
prominent, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, no extra inside final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and not quicken towards finish
Millenary has bright prospects of landing this race again, with the Sir Michael Stoute pair Distinction and Cover Up seen as the main dangers. John Dunlop's gallant eight-year-old dead-heated with Kasthari in this event 12 months ago, one of three Cup races to come his way, but this season it looked as though he had had enough when soundly beaten on his first two starts. However, he hinted at better to come when third behind Distinction at Goodwood and came right back to his best when walking all over that rival in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York three weeks ago. If the old fellow is in the same mood he can once again finish ahead of Distinction, and indeed Cover Up who was back in fourth on the Knavesmire. Kasthari folded tamely in that contest, but that was his first run since being pulled up over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in March, and it would be no surprise to see him step up a gear to once again figure. Sergeant Cecil has been a revelation in top staying handicap company, having done the Plate-Ebor double, but this is a giant leap into Group company, and preference is much for Millenary.
Distinction (IRE) 8-11fav (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Millenary (9-4) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Millenary 12-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Distinction (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cover Up (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Millenary (9-4) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
High Action (USA) 10-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Jagger (9-7) at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gf in Aug.
Jagger 5-1 (9-7) Prominent and keen, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on to lead post, won at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gf in Aug beating Masafi (8-12) by a shd, 8 ran.
Kasthari (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to lead over 3f out, soon headed, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 25l behind Millenary (9-4) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Sergeant Cecil 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders early, took keen hold and dropped rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Carte Diamond (9-7) by 1l, 20 ran.