led, ridden and headed 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, good headway on inside over 3f out, soon tracking leaders, went between horses over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, led final 110 yards, stayed on strongly
held up last, good headway on wide outside over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead and edged left on camber over 1f out, hung left headed and not pace of winner final 110 yards
slowly into stride, soon pushed along tracking leaders on outside, headway on outside under pressure over 2f out, disputing 5th and held when hung left on camber over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, soon lost place, weakened
sweating, tracked leaders on inside, went 3rd travelling well over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, disputing 5th and held when hung left then carried left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, plugged on in 3rd
raced keenly, tracked leaders until lost place and pushed along on downhill run, last and struggling over 3f out, modest 6th towards finish
NonRunner
Aidan O’Brien has won this eight times and Kew Gardens clearly wasn’t at his best when beaten eight lengths by Morando on soft going at Chester. The Ballydoyle four-year-old beat Lah Ti Dar and OLD PERSIAN when victorious in last year’s St Leger but both the latter pair have already won this year with the Godolphin colt showing an excellent turn of foot to land the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. He beat Kew Gardens over this trip in last year’s Great Voltiguer at York and can come out on top again. Defoe was only fourth behind Marmelo at Newbury and then failed to overhaul Communique in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in which Coronet was a disappointing favourite. Salouen was only beaten a head in this last year when a 33/1 chance and won a Listed race at Newbury on his reappearance but this year’s renewal is much more competitive.
Communique (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Made all, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May beating Defoe (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Cypress Creek (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, joined leader 8f out, led over 5f out, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 27 1/2l behind Morando (9-3) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in May.
Defoe (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders 2f, close up, pushed along 3f out, edged right and headway to chase winner approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Communique (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
Kew Gardens (IRE) 4-5fav (9-7) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd close home (dismounted), 2nd of 6, 8l behind Morando (9-3) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in May.
Marmelo 7-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, pushed along and unable to quicken 2f out, headway between horses over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr beating Aspetar (9-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Morando (FR) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in May beating Kew Gardens (9-7) by 8l, 6 ran.
Old Persian 5-4fav (8-13) won at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Mar beating Cheval Grand (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Salouen (IRE) 4-6fav (9-0) Made all, set steady pace, came wide in straight quickened over 2f out, clear inside final 2f, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ascot 1m 4f lst stks (1) gs in May beating What About Carlo (9-0) by 7l, 4 ran.
Lah Ti Dar 1-3fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led 3f out, soon ridden, edged left and hard pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on to lead again towards finish, won at York 1m 2f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gf in May beating Rawdaa (9-0) by nk, 6 ran.
Coronet 5-4fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, effort 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Communique (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
