tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened from over 1f out
mid-division and ran in snatches, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, led over 4f out, clear 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride, held up until ridden over 4f out, no danger
held up in rear, pulled up over 5fo ut
held up, not clear run over 2f out, ridden and led 1f out, soon clear, easily
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one-paced final furlong
prominent until ridden 3f out, one-paced final 2f
led until headed over 4f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3f out, chased leader 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Alunissage (USA) Improved efforts since fitted with a visor and stepped up in trip, but although he made his stablemate Hatha Anna pull out all the stops last time, he needs to continue his improvement to take a hand here.
And Beyond (IRE) Very game performance to land the Queens Vase at Ascot and he is improving with every run. He should handle the conditions and is likely to be still there at the business end, but will have to be at the top of his game to make his stamina count.
Demophilos A little to find with both Milan and Alexius after his respective meetings with those two, and although this step up in trip may bring about some improvement he seems to lack the finishing speed of those rivals.
Life Match (FR) Looks likely to have only a minor role to play here after his modest debut in an 11 furlong maiden at Tralee last month.
Mediterranean Something of a surprise when he won the Ebor last time out, after some rather lack-lustre early season form. Any runner from this his stable is obviously respected, but the balance of form leaves him a little short of the mark here.
Milan Beaten just three lengths by Galileo on his reappearance at The Curragh in April and has steadily improved since, culminating with a smooth performance to land the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last time. The step up in trip now looks sure to suit and with the recent softening of the ground he is another who looks to have a very good chance.
Mr Combustible (IRE) Beat last year's winner Millenary in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Goodwood and is respected for that effort alone however, this looks to be a more realistic aim than some of his early season targets and if he copes with the underfoot conditions he must have a major chance of further success.
Pugin (IRE) Received a 7lb rise in the ratings for an 8 length beating in the Irish Derby, and although official figures still give him a little to find with Mr Combustible, he hails from a stable that has an impressive record with it's raids on these shores. He has conditions to suit and should not be underestimated.
Saddler's Creek (USA) Looks to have a little to prove with his stablemates and although the easing of the ground make be more to his liking, others look to have a stronger profile.
When In Rome Disappointing since finishing a neck behind And Beyond in the Queens Vase and already looks to be suited by that two mile trip. The fact that his only win came when 2/11 favourite in an three runner event at Sandown in July is hardly the most inspiring credential for a potential winner of the final British Classic of the season.
Alexius (IRE) Similar profile to Millenary in that he comes here after winning the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time, where he put in an incredible performance to come round a very useful field. Eventually defeating Demophilos by a neck after sitting down in the stalls and giving the rest a good eight lengths start. However, this is only his third ever race and he will be tackling this longer trip on his first try with cut in the ground; he will need to continue his improvement to give his trainer his first ever winner of this race.
