led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, soon edged right, headed approaching final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen always in rear
prominent, led over 2f out, soon headed, rallied to lead approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on
dwelt mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden and effort over 2f out, never on terms
took keen hold tracked leader early, close up after, ridden and headway over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in rear, headway over 2f out to track leaders, effort when short of room over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no threat to winner
Recent rain has cast a real doubt over Galileo Rock's participation though the Epsom Derby third, who was second in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh subsequently, has won on soft ground. Libertarian finished a short-head ahead of Galileo Rock at Epsom having taken an age to find his stride but then disappointed badly in the Irish Derby in his first start for Godolphin. Charlie Appleby also runs Cap O'Rushes, who finished fourth at the Curragh before beating the progressive Excess Knowledge on good to soft ground in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. But the fifth that day, SECRET NUMBER, got no sort of run and was staying on well in the closing stages and was again doing his best work at the finish when third in the Great Voltigeur at York, just behind the less-exposed Foundry but well ahead of Havana Beat. Aidan O'Brien's charge has more scope but Saeed bin Suroor's colt looks the value at the likely odds as his trainer knows what it takes to land this. Ballydoyle also have Leading Light in the line-up bidding for a five-timer. He's unbeaten this year but the Queen's Vase winner is taking on better horses now while Oaks heroine Talent hasn't been seen since running a shocker at the Curragh in June and no filly has won the world's oldest classic form more than 20 years. Great Hall and Ralston Road are likely to find this a big ask.
Cap O'rushes 8-1 (8-12) Took keen hold tracking leader, challenged 3f out, soon chased winner, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Telescope (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Excess Knowledge 7-4fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, effort when hampered inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Cap O'Rushes (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Jul.
Foundry (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Held up in 5th on inside, headway 3f out, ridden and chased winner 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Telescope (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Galileo Rock (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Soon mid-division and well off the pace, headway into straight, 6th 2f out, ridden to challenge in 2nd 1f out, every chance and kept on well without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Trading Leather (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Great Hall 13-2 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, headway 2f out, led 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul beating Debdebdeb (8-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
Havana Beat (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 7l behind Cap O'Rushes (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Jul.
Leading Light (IRE) 5-4fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and pressed over 1f out, kept on towards finish, won at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun beating Feel Like Dancing (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Libertarian 7-2 (9-0) Rear of mid-division and well off the pace, pushed along from 5f out, moderate 8th and no extra 2f out, 8th of 9, 17l behind Trading Leather (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Ralston Road (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Soon led, headed after 2f, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 8l behind Royal Empire (9-4) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Secret Number 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leading trio, driven along 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Telescope (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Talent 11-4 (9-0) Waited with towards rear at ordinary pace, 5th approaching straight, no extra from over 1f out, last of 7, 12l behind Chicquita (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
