settled 4th, ridden 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reach winner
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace to 4th final furlong
dwelt, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace
made all, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on strongly, eased close home, comfortably
Aidan O'Brien has bigger fish to fry this week and judging by the way so many of his early-season runners have needed their first starts EMPEROR CLAUDIUS is by no means a good thing here. However, the son of Giant's Causeway out of the brilliant Virginia Waters showed plenty of potential in his first campaign, especially when beaten a short-head by Big Audio in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, and a Sussex Stakes entry suggests he is expected to do better this season. His main rival, Luisant, has been confined to sprint distances this year but has plenty of form at today's trip and may have been finding the fast ground just too quick on his last three starts. Elusive Award began his career with two victories over tonight's trip and has been competing at a higher level subsequently. He wasn't beaten far at Dundalk last time and should be at his peak for this.
Luisant 6-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, 6th on stands side halfway, 4th 1 1/2f out, 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Miss Gorica (9-4) at Naas 5f Listed stks gf.
Award Ceremony (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra in 8th 1f out, kept on one pace, 13th of 25, 7l behind Bangalore Gold (9-0) at Curragh 1m hcap gf in May.
Sinsational 8-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, last approaching straight, headway on outer under 2f out, close 4th and challenged 1f out, soon no extra, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Grand Opera (9-10) at Dundalk 1m Ext hcp pol in Nov.
Elusive Award (USA) 3-1 (9-7) Very slowly away, soon in touch in rear, headway early straight, 3rd and challenged 1f out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 5, 1/2l behind Bashir Biyoum Zain (9-7) at Dundalk 7f 3yo stks pol in May.
Emperor Claudius (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Tracked winner until ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Poet's Voice (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.