led briefly, tracked leader, ridden inside final 2f, lost 2nd 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up in last pair, headway out wide tracking leaders 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
wore hood to post, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along 2f out, plugged on in 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo
soon led, quickened pace over 3f out, ridden and edged left briefly over 1f out, strongly pressed and hung left inside final furlong, kept on well until headed and no extra inside final 100 yards
held up in rear, headway travelling well when not clear run inside final 2f, soon switched right, strong challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead inside final 100 yards
restless in stalls, sweating and edgy, tracked leaders out wide, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and beaten when hung right inside final 2f
Desert Hero lit up Royal Ascot by carrying The King’s colours to victory in the King George V Stakes and he’s worth a try in this grade. Burdett Road also won at the Royal meeting and Canberra Legend is bred for this sort of trip. Espionage, only beaten a head in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud as a two-year-old, made a winning reappearance in Listed company at Roscommon and has a host of fancy entries but ARTISTIC STAR possibly boasts the best recent form. Ralph Beckett’s colt was seventh in the Derby and then third in the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot where he was hampered in the closing stages. Chesspiece won a Listed race at Hamilton after finishing third in the Queen’s Vase so can’t be ignored.
Artistic Star (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, going well 3f out and led, pushed along and joined 2f out, lost lead and ridden along in 3rd before 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 6l behind King Of Steel (9-2) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Burdett Road 20-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, midfield, headway and pushed along to lead 2f out, edged left final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 1m 2f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun beating Lion Of War (8-13) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Canberra Legend (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up in behind leaders, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 5th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Waipiro (9-2) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Chesspiece Evensfav (9-7) Made all and bit keen, edged right and ridden 2f out, edged left and stayed on strongly inside final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Hamilton 1m 3f lst stks (1) gs in Jul beating Sea Of Roses (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Desert Hero 18-1 (8-13) Off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead final 100 yards, won at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gd in Jun beating Valiant King (8-11) by hd, 19 ran.
Espionage (IRE) 11-10fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway to lead early final furlong, kept on well, won at Roscommon 1m 4f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul beating Young Ireland (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
