held up behind, pushed along, steady progress from 3f out, switched left 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong, driven out
always towards rear
slowly into stride, led after 1f until over 4f out, soon weakened, eased
held up towards rear, steady headway under pressure from 3f out, went 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, towards rear, hampered by weakening horse on rails 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
held up in touch, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
mid-division, headway on outer over 4f out, ridden into 4th over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed just inside final furlong, rallied gamely, no extra near finish
towards rear, mid-division, ridden, effort 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up behind, smooth headway from 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden, headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden well over 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 4f out, behind from over 2f out, eased
led for 1f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, took narrow advantage just inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on
Geordieland has to be played very late, ensuring that any win will be a nail-biting one, however he gets our vote to tantalise and titillate us in victory. Balkan Knight and Veracity make it to the shortlist. Jamie Osbourne's charge was given a peach of a ride from the rear in the Ascot Gold Cup last time out by Jamie Spencer and he has to be played late as he does very little when he hits the front. There was no shame in losing to the top-class stayer Yeats on that occasion and against this lesser field, he can reward his trainer with a long-awaited British win. Falpiase and Finalmente are both consistent so should run well again, whilst Veracity was beaten fair and square last time out but may still have more to give. However, as the only three-year-old in the field a win would be a decent achievement. Rayhani won well on his reappearance but had previously failed to stay this trip last year, whilst Balkan Knight comes here in search of the hat-trick. Whilst the form of his last run has been let down though by the runner-up since, another big run should be expected. At a price, the dour stayer Baddam could run into a place, however Geordieland can reward those punters who keep the faith.
Allegretto (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Pulled hard in mid-division, ridden early straight and soon weakened, 9th of 14, 21l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Baddam 4-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Enjoy The Moment (9-0) at Ascot 2m 6f stk (2) gs in Jun.
Baizically (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 10l behind All The Good (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (3) gd in Jun.
Balkan Knight 11-4 (9-3) Held up, tracked leading pair 4f out, led inside final furlong, driven and stayed on, won at Sandown 2m lst stk (1) gs in Jul beating Alambic (8-9) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Bulwark (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, not looked keen and urged along on bend after 7f, struggling in rear when hung right under pressure over 2f out, 10th of 14, 26l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Distinction (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Held up in 5th, went 4th straight, headway to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun '06.
Falpiase (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Keen early, prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed final 75 yards, no extra when hampered towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Inchnadamph (9-11) at Catterick 2m hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Finalmente 9-4 (9-0) Led, pushed along early straight, strongly pressed 2f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 3rd of 4, 3/4l behind Balkan Knight (9-3) at Sandown 2m lst stk (1) gs in Jul.
Foxhaven 50-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden over 3f out, hung left, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Papal Bull (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Geordieland (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, smooth headway when not clear run and switched left 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Greenwich Meantime 16-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division, weakened over 5f out, 19th of 20, well behind Juniper Girl (8-11) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Land 'n Stars 16-1 (9-2) Held up behind, dropped to rear halfway, never in contention afterwards, tailed off, last of 7, 48l behind Allegretto (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Rayhani (USA) 9-2co-fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, quickened to lead entering final furlong, soon clear, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcap (3) gf in May beating Castle Howard (9-3) by 4l, 9 ran.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 50-1 (9-2) Prominent, went 2nd after 7f, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened and eased, tailed off, 13th of 14, 35l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Veracity 11-1 (9-1) Close up in 4th, chased leaders from 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Mahler (9-1) at Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Jun.
