raced wide, held up towards rear, hampered inside final 3f, switched left to outside over 1f out, strong run under pressure inside final furlong, led close home
chased leaders, not clear run looking for room from over 2f out, found room 2f out, went 3rd soon after, strong challenge inside final furlong, led briefly towards finish, headed and not pace of winner close home
held up in last pair, headway on inside 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
went left start, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, driven and beaten well over 1f out
held up in touch in 5th, switched sharply right inside final 2f, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, kept on well in closing stages
pressed leader, led after 1f, ridden 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, stayed challenging and slight lead again final 50 yards until towards finish, one pace in 3rd close home
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
in touch on inside, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
went left start, led 1f, pressed leader, ridden to slight lead again over 1f out, kept slight advantage under pressure until headed final 50 yards, one pace and lost 2 places close home
ran green in last pair, pushed along 3f out, never on terms
Six of the last ten favourites have won, the latest pair trained by Richard Hannon. Newmarket's Superlative Stakes has always been a fine precursor to this and OLYMPIC GLORY can carry on the tradition. Runner-up to Dawn Approach in the Coventry Stakes, he didn't appear to be enjoying the heavy ground at headquarters and was tying up in the closing stages allowing Birdman to get within a head. The runner-up is 3lb better off but the winner will be much better suited by today's quicker ground and can confirm the form, completing a Hannon treble in the process. Several of these were behind at Newmarket with Maxentius and Artigiano doing best of them, the latter finishing closer to the selection than he had in the Coventry. Ghurair looked in need of the experience on his debut at Newmarket but showed a nice attitude and will have come on a bundle for the run while Tha'Ir looked very progressive in the Chesham and though needing to improve again is likely to do so.
Olympic Glory (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Held up in 6th, headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, hard ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, held on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Jul beating Birdman (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Artigiano (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, soon challenging, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd final 130 yards, lost 3rd post, 4th of 9, 2l behind Olympic Glory (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Jul.
Birdman (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden headway and switched right 2f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd final 130 yards, closed on winner near finish, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Olympic Glory (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Jul.
Chilworth Icon 9-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Alhebayeb (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul.
Ghurair (USA) 3-1fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch on near side rail, headway to chase leaders halfway, challenged on bit 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Jul beating Improvisation (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Luhaif 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, lost 2nd and weakened soon after, 7th of 9, 10l behind Olympic Glory (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Jul.
Maxentius (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Hedl up towards rear, good headway on far rail halfway, chased leaders 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong, stayed on again to take 3rd post, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Olympic Glory (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Jul.
Operation Chariot (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden when not much room 2f out, weakened soon after, 8th of 9, 17l behind Olympic Glory (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Jul.
Tha'ir (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on strongly final 75 yards, won at Royal Ascot 7f Listed stks 2yo (1) gs in Jun beating Cruck Realta (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Whipper's Boy (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Soon outpaced towards rear, hung right on bend over 4f out, headway over 2f out, soon hung left, ridden to lead over 1f out, forged clear final furlong, won at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Jul beating Zanetto (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
