held up towards rear, ridden and plugged on final 2f, never threatened
held up in mid-division, pushed along and weakened over 3f out
always towards rear, never involved
towards rear, pushed along and struggling 5f out, never on terms
towards rear, plugged on final 2f, never threatened
chased leader, chased new leader 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon every chance, 3rd and one pace final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, steady headway over 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up last, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden and went 2nd approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, edged right, stayed on well
chased leaders, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along over 6f out, ridden 4f out, weakened soon after
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along in 6th over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led until 4f out, chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
ridden and struggling over 3f out, always towards rear
Withdrawn
NonRunner
No favourite has won this in 10 years but last year's winner Star Rider returns for another crack and subsequently won at Newmarket and over hurdles so he's on the short-list, despite being 9lb higher. However, the winner can come from the bottom of the handicap where the likes of Hawkerland and Akavit arrive on hat-tricks. Neither have been this far on the Flat but the former, in particular, is progressing nicely and should get into contention. Also on a lowly mark is GOLDEN DOYEN and it's Philip Hobbs' charge who gets the vote. His last run was over fences but he's a much better hurdler and was rated 143 after winning at Cheltenham in October. He'll have no problems staying and looks well treated for his return to the Flat. Denmead was behind today's rival October Storm over 1m6f here in May but has since won on Polytrack over 2m and looks the type for this. Guard Of Honour is 14lb higher than his last winning mark thanks to two fine runs in Ireland but he ran well for a long way in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.
Suegioo (FR) 25-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, pushed along and weakened over 3f out, 15th of 20, 8 1/4l behind Higher Power (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Jul.
Star Rider 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden inside final 2f, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 18, 11 1/4l behind Thomas Hobson (9-10) at Ascot 2m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun.
Sunblazer (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Ridden leaving stalls, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, effort over 2f out, went 4th and hung right over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Gibbs Hill (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Guard Of Honour (IRE) 80-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, plugged on in 6th final furlong, no threat, 6th of 16, 9l behind Oriental Fox (9-5) at Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Frederic 11-8fav (10-0) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Akavit (8-11) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Arthur Mc Bride (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 14 1/4l behind Oriental Fox (9-5) at Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Taws 11-10fav (10-12) Always prominent, led before 2 out, driven to assert flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul beating G For Ginger (10-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
Aurora Gray 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, smooth headway into 2nd 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon edged left, stayed on strongly in closing stages, just failed, 2nd of 5, shd behind Jukebox Jive (8-6) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Red Rannagh (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Slowly away in rear, headway to track leaders 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind C'est No Mour (9-1) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Cool Sky 7-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Machine Learner (9-5) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Denmead 5-1 (9-5) Made all, clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Jun beating Lanceur (9-10) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Golden Doyen (GER) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, headway after 8th, 2nd when mistake 4 out, no impression on winner from next, lost 2nd from last, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Work Du Breteau (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Jun.
Hawkerland (IRE) 5-2jfav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Wordiness (8-10) by 1l, 8 ran.
Akavit (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun beating La Fritillaire (8-5) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
October Storm 6-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 7th of 12, 6 1/2l behind London Prize (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Jul.
Paris Protocol 66-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, hung right and weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, dist behind Oriental Fox (9-5) at Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Percy Veer 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Haines (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Cosmelli (ITY) 20-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and effort on outside over 3f out, no impression and weakened from over 2f out, 7th of 8, 37 1/4l behind Uae King (8-4) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Jul.
