held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and no impression from over 2f out
led for 1f, tracked leader after, headway to challenge over 5f out, led 4f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, one-paced final furlong
held up towards rear, head under pressure 3f out, led 2f out, driven out
held up in mid-division, headway over 4f out, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, one-paced under pressure
led after 1f, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon beaten
A fascinating renewal of the world's oldest Classic in which Bandari holds outstanding claims. Mark Johnston's charge has proved himself a thoroughly tough and genuine performer who looks the one they all have to beat. The son of Alhaarth disappointed in the Derby having trounced his rivals at Lingfield on his seasonal return in May but bounced back to form to score an emphatic seven-lengths victory in the Gordon Stakes before gaining a narrow success over Highest and Bollin Eric in the Great Voltigeur at York last month. Bandari showed a most willing attitude to prevail on the latter occasion and, with the step up in distance sure to be in his favour, is taken to confirm the placings on identical terms. The lightly raced Balakheri has come in for recent ante-post support despite having his limitations exposed in the Irish Derby. The Aga Khan-owned colt, who had previously landed the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot, is capable of further progress however and can make his presence felt over a trip that should suit. Stablemate and recent Goodwood Listed winner First Charter is held by the selection on Gordon Stakes form and there appears no obvious reason why he should reverse the form. Mick Kinane and Aidan O'Brien took this event twelve months ago with Milan but the prospect of Sholokhov staging a repeat looks unlikely on his recent efforts at the top level. Mr Dinos will stay the trip but his overall form falls short of what is required while Nysaean will find the ground plenty fast enough so Queen's Vase hero Mamool, who was unsuited by soft ground last time, looks best of the remainder and, with his stable in good fettle at present, should go well for each way backers.
