steadied start, held up in rear, behind and struggling 4f out, never a factor
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd travelling well inside final 3f, led over 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, eased close home, easily
led, quickened pace over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner, no impression when weakened into 3rd final 100 yards
held up in 7th, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, switched right 2f out, plugged on into modest 5th approaching final furlong, closed on 4th but never involved
tracked leading trio, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final 3f, weakened 2f out
held up in 6th, pushed along on inside and went 4th 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with easy winner
held up in 5th, pushed along and unable to quicken over 3f out, headway on outside over 2f out, went 4th entering final 2f, no impression when edged left final furlong
Including St Nicholas Abbey’s hat-trick, Aidan O’Brien has won six of the last 10 renewals. He runs the smart filly Found this year and she beat Golden Horn at the Breeders’ Cup in November which was the last time she raced over 1m4f. Connections will fancy their chances of beating POSTPONED on that form but last year’s King George hero has continued winning ways since joining Roger Varian and landed the Group 1 Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Helped out by stablemate and pace setter Roseburg, he’s the one to beat in this. Arabian Queen also had the distinction of beating Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International over 1m2f at York last year but Champion Fillies’ and Mares winner Simple Verse makes more appeal over today’s distance. Second Step should be sharper for a close-up third in the Yorkshire Cup and won a Group 1 in Germany over 1m4f last term under Jamie Spencer but Star Storm and Master Carpenter have a bit to find in this company.
Master Carpenter (IRE) 4-1cfav (9-0) Tracked leader, pushed along and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, lost 3rd inside final furlong, no extra soon after, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Decorated Knight (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in May.
Postponed (IRE) 4-5 (9-0) Mid-division, smooth progress 600m out, led 300m out, comfortably, won at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Mar beating Duramente (8-13) by 2l, 0 ran.
Roseburg (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) 6th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Postponed (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Sep.
Second Step (IRE) 10-11fav (9-1) Tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed 1f out, lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Clever Cookie (9-1) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Star Storm (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leading trio, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 10l behind Astronereus (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Arabian Queen (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, joined inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Usherette (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gd in May.
Found (IRE) 8-15fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, progress entering straight, went 2nd and ridden over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Fascinating Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) Yielding - Soft in May.
Simple Verse (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, edged right 10f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Exosphere (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Apr.
