held up in rear, effort on outer over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed last 150 yards, no extra
tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, no extra final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led last 150 yards, kept on well
Nonrunner
Opinion Poll's proven stamina saw him repel the challenge of Duncan in the Lonsdale Cup at York last month. Bergo finished third but there seems no reason why Gary Moore's eight-year-old should reverse the form here on identical terms, while Blue Bajan was even further behind. Godolphin's five-year-old could only finish fourth in this 12 months ago, however, having won the same York race and has to overturn that form today with both Tastahil and MOTRICE. Only a head split that pair last year but Sir Mark Prescott's filly comes into this contest in far better form having won the March Stakes at Goodwood less than two weeks ago. She did finish behind Opinion Poll in the Ascot Gold Cup on her reappearance but can be forgiven that effort and may still be improving. Ebor runner-up Tactician has a bit to prove in this grade but the three-year-old Saddler's Rock gets plenty of weight and could make the frame if he stays.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Raced wide, held up in last trio, driven and some headway on outside over 2f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 7th of 10, 15l behind Opinion Poll (9-4) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Held up in 6th on outside, headway to track leader inside final 2f, ridden to challenge over 1f out, driven to lead narrowly 1f out, soon leant on, edged left and on top towards fiish, won at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Duncan (9-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Bergo (GER) 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Opinion Poll (9-4) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Tactician 9-1 (9-0) Led, narrowly headed over 2f out, stayed pressing leader, until winner went by final 100 yards, rallied to regain 2nd close home, 2nd of 20, 1l behind Moyenne Corniche (8-10) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Tastahil (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Chased clear leader until 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, soon eased, 14th of 15, 30l behind Opinion Poll (9-7) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Motrice 85-40 (9-2) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 3f out, soon led, hard driven over 1f out, ran on well, won at Goodwood 1m 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Aug beating Eternal Heart (8-7) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Saddler's Rock (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Led, strongly pressed and headed early straight, no real impression under pressure when hampered over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Fictional Account (9-9) at Curragh 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd in Aug.
Dayia (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Close up on outer, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 23l behind Keys (9-1) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Jul.
