took keen hold, reluctant leader for 2f, tracked leading pair after, driven to challenge 2f out, soon chasing winner until entering final furlong, no impression and lost 3rd final stride
chased leaders in 4th, hard driven 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, driven and stayed on to take 3rd final stride, no chance with front pair
held up in 7th, pushed along on outside 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in 5th, headway on bit to lead 2f out, hard driven final furlong, held on gamely all out
slowly into stride, soon ridden and disputing lead after 2f, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in 6th, pushed along 3f out, hard driven and went 2nd approaching final furlong, closed well under pressure near finish, not reach winner
crossed over to dispute lead after 2f, driven and headed 2f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance
A fascinating renewal of the Sussex Stakes can go to Asiatic Boy, who is already well on his way to earning a million in prizes, and he gets the nod over Excellent Art, who edges the verdict as the best option from Aidan O'Brien's trio of contenders. That said, Ramonti and Jeremy, who fought out a thrilling finish to the Queen Anne Stakes, add further dimensions and have to be merit a second look in the betting. Decado holds Trinity College from their encounter in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month but looks up against the wall in this company, while Archipenko returns to what may be his optimum trip but he has not looked straightforward in his last two starts and now has something to prove. Excellent Art showed great determination to win the St James Palace Stakes and, being by Pivotal, should cope with this more testing ground. Jamie Spencer is really on the ball just now and a big run is expected from his mount. However, Asiatic Boy has passed every test put in front of him since the turn of the year and he is not expected to be inconvenienced by the switch back to turf this afternoon. Winner of the UAE Derby when he was last seen out, the son of Not For Sale goes well when fresh. Asiatic Boy quite simply has the best profile on offer and can prove himself as a champion miler today.
Asiatic Boy (ARG) (9-4) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, drew well clear, won at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) std in Mar beating Jack Junior (8-9) by 10l, 13 ran.
Decado (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led travelling well 2 1/2f out, ridden and strongly pressed from 1 1/2f out, driven out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Jul beating Cougar Bay (9-7) by 2l, 4 ran.
Jeremy (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway from 3f out, led 2f out, hung right to far rail over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Ramonti (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Munaddam (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Keen, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, edged left approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Silver Touch (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Ramonti 5-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed 2f out, rallied inside final furlong to lead again post, won at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Jeremy (9-0) by a shd, 8 ran.
Archipenko (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Chased clear leader, ridden straight, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Notnowcato (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jul.
Excellent Art 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, smooth headway and got run on inside rail from 2f out, quickened between horses to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Duke Of Marmalade (9-0) by a nk, 8 ran.
Trinity College (USA) 7-2 (8-11) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, 3rd when checked inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Fracas (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in Jul.
