held up behind leaders, disputing 3rd and ridden straight, weakened rapidly over 2f out, eased when well beaten over 1f out
held up well in rear, last approaching straight, headway on outside from 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, too much to do
tracked winner, ridden straight weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, held up, 5th, not handled downhill and lost place straight, driven and hung right 2f out, edged left and ran on final furlong to take 3rd final 100yds
disputing 3rd, ridden straight, effort to chase winner until 2f out, over 2f out, one pace and no impression on leading pair, lost 3rd final 100yds
led, set steady pace until quickened 5f out, kicked clear 3f out, in no danger after, ran on strongly
held up, 6th straight, ridden and beaten 2f out, never a factor
A smashing line-up for the Coronation Cup, and it can go to Alkaased, who is favoured over Warrsan and Reefscape. Having won this race for the last two years, the tough and classy Warrsan will run his usual good race, having had a pipe-opener for the season 33 days ago. In that race, he finished six-and-a-half lengths behind Alkaased, but is five pounds better off today, and he was five lengths behind Bandari in the same contest, but is three pounds better off now. Much as the story is likely to be different today, we still feel that Alkaased will hold sway. Alkaadhem ended last season very much on a high and bids to keep that going today. He was a bit disappointing on his Newmarket return, though, although his stable is in better form now. However, he has yet to fully prove he stays this far, and has only a three-pound pull for the six-and-a-half lengths he finished behind Alkaased at Goodwood last July. The Ascot Gold Cup winner, Papineau, might be vulnerable at this trip, but Reefscape looked worth another try at this trip when second to Bago in the Prix Ganay on his seasonal return, and is also respected. Aidan O'Brien runs Yeats, but he has something to prove following his Curragh defeat last time. With the others foreign raiders looking up against it, we return to the selection, which is Alkaased.
Alkaadhem 7-2 (9-1) Held up, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Norse Dancer (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Alkaased (USA) 2-1fav (8-9) Dwelt, held up, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in May beating Gamut (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bandari (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Alkaased (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Reefscape 10-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden along from over 1f out, kept on, finished 3rd, placed second, 2nd of 9, shd behind Bago (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 sft in Apr.
Warrsan (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, effort well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Alkaased (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Yeats (IRE) 4-6fav (9-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along before straight, 2nd 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, eased close home, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Cairdeas (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 hvy in May.
Pride (FR) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, barged through to challenge over 1f out, ran on, finished 2nd, placed 6th, 6th of 9, 3l behind Bago (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 sft in Apr.
Papineau 7-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, hung left when not clear run over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Franklins Gardens (8-10) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Shirocco (GER) 11-4fav (8-13) Made most, battled on final furlong, just held on, won at Milan 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Oct beating Electrocutionist (8-13) by a shd, 9 ran.
