prominent, raced keenly, led over 7f out, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, raced keenly, pushed along 4f out, held on briefly until switched left and headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on but no impression
mid-division, headway 5f out, led 2f out, quickened and edged right over 1f out, in no danger after, ran on well
held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no real impression
held up in rear, effort on outside 3f out, soon pushed along and not pick up, beaten after
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 8f out, pushed along over 5f out, not quicken over 2f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, raced keenly, steadied after 2f, lost place 6f out, behind final 3f
slowly into stride, soon recovered, prominent, challenged leader 6f out until 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
led, headed over 7f out, slightly outpaced 2f out, ran on final 100 yards, just failed to get 2nd
Nonrunner
Sir Michael Stoute has won three of the last eight renewals of this race and the unexposed HARBINGER is selected to give him another; Urban Poet and former stablemate Parthenon may prove to be the biggest threats. With an official rating of 96, the selection has something to find here on official ratings but following his romp at Chester in May, he was always destined for bigger things. A colt with plenty of pace, he needs to prove that this trip will suit, however the Derby entry suggested that he was always thought of as a mile and a half horse and he should give a bold show here. Firebet is one of the most progressive horses in training and his new trainer has had no option but to step him up in class following a 7lb rise for his Newmarket win last time; again he has stamina to prove but he is not one to take lightly. Heliodor and Big Bound have a bit more experience than some of their rivals; of the pair Big Bound looks more interesting although he is a big horse and it remains to be seen whether Goodwood will be ideal. Masterofthehorse is off to Dubai later in the year but looks a fascinating recruit to the yard; he was third in the Derby, the best piece of form on offer, but he was below par in the Irish version and now has a little to prove. Montaff was hyped up before Epsom but was last of all and has since flopped at Ascot so connections reach for a visor, Tactic is fairly exposed but did win his maiden here, whilst Swindler is unexposed and should revel in this longer trip. Urban Poet cost a whopping $2.9million and impressed on his debut at Hamilton. Again, like Big Bound, he is a giant son of Dynaformer and the course must be a slight worry. Of more interest then is Parthenon who joined Godolphin this season. He was a progressive colt at two and although he flopped on his latest start in the French Derby that was a tough ask and he will find this more suitable. An interesting contest, but we will take Harbinger to lead them home.
Big Bound (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, held on well, won at Leicester 1m 2f con stks (3) gf beating Libel Law (9-3) by hd, 5 ran.
Firebet (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, good headway from 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd beating Roman Republic (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Harbinger 6-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, quickened clear, won at Chester 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in May beating Changingoftheguard (9-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Heliodor (USA) 20-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 5l behind Crime Scene (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gs.
Masterofthehorse (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Settled mid-division, moderate 6th halfway, headway in 5th 3f out, ridden in 4th and no impression over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 16l behind Fame And Glory (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 gd in Jun.
Montaff 25-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, stumbled 10f out, pushed along halfway, struggling after, eased when no chance over 1f out, 9th of 12, 22l behind Father Time (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Swindler (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and effort well over 1f out, kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Soul City (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (2) sft in Jul '08.
Tactic 10-3 (9-0) Keen early, held up in touch, improved 5f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Kite Wood (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 5f (1) gd.
Urban Poet (USA) 3-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, heavily eased inside final furlong, impressive, won at Hamilton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gf beating Proud Times (9-2) by 9l, 8 ran.
Parthenon 14-1 (9-2) 14th of 17, 29l behind Le Havre (9-2) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 2f stk gs in Jun.
