slow into stride, pushed up to lead over 9f out to over 4f out, 4th and weakening straight, well behind final 2f
in touch, 5th straight, headway to chase leading pair just over 2f out, went 2nd but no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up well in rear, 12th and plenty to do straight, stayed on final 2f, not pace to reach leaders and never dangerous
in touch until lost place over 4f out, 9th straight, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd and pushed along straight, driven and lost 3rd just over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led to over 9f out, tracked leader after, led over 4f out to just over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
midfield, 8th and struggling straight, hung left and weakened 2f out
midfield, 11th and weakening straight, tailed off
keen early, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led on bit just over 2f out, quickened 6 lengths clear 1f out, ridden out impressive
midfield, 7th and weakening straight, soon well behind
held up in rear, last straight, effort on rails when hampered over 2f out, soon switched right and stayed on final furlong but no chance
raced on outer and midfield, 6th and ridden straight, weakened over 2f out
settled in rear division, 10th straight, headway on inside from 3f out, switched right and ran on from over 1f out, took 2nd inside final furlong, but no chance with winner
With doubts concerning both the trip and ground for Godolphin's Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Dubawi, preference is for Motivator, who is taken to confirm Dante Superiority over The Geezer. The York race is often the most reliable Derby trial and this year's renewal may be no exception with the selection, the winner of the Group1 Racing Post Trophy as a juvenile, quickening well approaching the distance and staying on strongly to hold David Elsworth's colt by a length-and-a-half. The son of Montjeu is entitled to come on for the run, should have no difficulty with the extra furlong and a half or the ground and his last two runs make him the form choice. The Geezer has to be respected and his jockey Richard Quinn, who could have ridden several other runners in the race, is confident about his chances of reversing the form but there is no reason why he should do so as there is probably more to come from the winner. Aidan O'Brien runs no fewer than four horses with Oratorio, who finished fourth in the 2,000 Guineas and an eye-catching second behind Dubawi at The Curragh, an interesting contender stepping up in trip to a distance that may suit him better than the mile that he has been racing over previously this term. However, O'Brien has given stable jockey Kieren Fallon the mount on Gypsy King and that could be significant. Like the selection, the son of Sadler's Wells is less exposed than some of these after just two career starts; having won his maiden in good style as a juvenile, he showed improved form to land Chester's Dee Stakes despite being given, by his own admission, a poor ride form Kieren Fallon. There is undoubtedly a lot more to come from Gypsy King but the possibility is that the Derby may come a month too soon for him as he needs to improve considerably again to trouble the selection. Grand Central is probably better than his latest effort in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial behind Fracas would suggest and he looks to be the best of the remainder of O'Brien's quartet but is far from certain to reverse form with his conqueror there. Kong and Walk In The Park are closely matched on Lingfield Derby Trial form but neither really good enough on that evidence. Chester Vase winner Hattan and Predominate victor Unfurled look to be short of the required standard and a safer bet looks to be Motivator, who has done nothing wrong in his career and is taken to land the greatest prize in racing for his adoring owners The Royal Ascot Racing Club.
Almighty (USA) 10-3fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Hattan (8-10) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Dubawi (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (9-0) Settled 4th, smooth headway to lead 2f out, quickened clear and edged right, eased close home, impressive, won at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in May beating Oratorio (9-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Fracas (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd from early straight, ridden to challenge from over 1f out, kept on well to lead final strides, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 2 hvy in May beating Alayan (9-0) by a shd, 5 ran.
Grand Central (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, short of room under 2f out and again over 1f out where switched to outer, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Fracas (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 2 hvy in May.
Gypsy King (IRE) 2-1fav (8-8) Dwelt and behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right final furlong, ran on to lead post, won at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in May beating Im Spartacus (8-8) by a shd, 9 ran.
Hattan (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chester 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in May beating Almighty (8-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Kings Quay 7-1 (8-10) Pulled hard, held up last pair, pushed along on outer 3f out, soon one pace and no impression on leaders, last of 6, 3 1/2l behind Kong (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Kong (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Dwelt, soon tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden final furlong, held on well near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in May beating Walk In The Park (8-10) by a nk, 6 ran.
Motivator Evensfav (8-11) Held up, smooth progress 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear entering final furlong, driven out, won at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in May beating The Geezer (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Oratorio (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (9-0) Towards rear, driven along halfway, headway over 2f out, 2nd and no impression from 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong without troubling winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Dubawi (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
The Geezer 8-1 (8-11) Held up, headway when ridden 2f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Motivator (8-11) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Unfurled (IRE) 6-5fav (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, hard pressed well over 2f out, headed narrowly just over 1f out, rallied well inside final furlong to lead again final strides, won at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in May beating Indigo Cat (8-11) b.
Walk In The Park (IRE) 6-4fav (8-10) Held up pulling hard, headway to track leading pair 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Kong (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
First Row (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Hattan (8-10) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
