held up in rear, ridden on wide outside and hung right from 3f out, kept on final furlong, never a factor
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 3f out, one pace final 2f
chased leader, led 5f out, headed 3f out, ridden and hung right over 2f out, weakened and eased when beaten over 1f out
in touch, effort to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right and weakened over 1f out
slowly away, never going well and always in rear
raced wide in mid-division, pushed along and headway over 3f out, driven and stayed on from over 1f out, not pace to challenge
reminder soon after start, soon in mid-division, steady headway on inside going well over 3f out, led 2f out, soon edged right to rails, in command final furlong, kept on strongly
led to 5f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, driven along over 2f out, plugged on, never going pace to get competitive
never going well, always in rear, tailed off
in touch, driven over 3f out, soon weakened and hampered
close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, just held on for 2nd
chased leader, led 3f out, headed 2f out, stayed challenging to over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, pressed for 2nd near finish
in touch, pushed along 4f out, behind final 3f
Withdrawn
SABOTAGE ran well here on his debut and this progressive son of Halling is fancied to lead them home; the shortlist is dominated by Too Much Trouble, the Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum pair, and Cosmic Sun although a case can be made for nearly all the field. Back against his own age group today following a fine Ascot third on Sunday, the selection still looks to be on the upgrade. He handles the track which is a plus and with Neil Callan a good jockey booking, he looks sure to give a bold show. Too Much Trouble drops in class following some Group and Listed runs, but he shouldn't be overlooked here, along with Akmal who beat the selection at York and races off the same terms here albeit over two furlongs shorter. Matraash has a 9lb rise in the weights to deal with as he chases the hat-trick, however there are some sneaky ones lurking at the other end of the weights. Lombok won well at Nottingham last time and has a chance from just out of the weights, Becausewecan is progressive but might need some substantial rain, whilst Funday shaped as if ready for this longer trip when third at Epsom last time out. More interesting however is Braveheart Move, a well-related son of Cape Cross. He only has an 8lb rise in the weights for disposing of the progressive Mark Johnston-trained Quai D'Orsay and it would be a surprise if Sir Mark Prescott didn't know where he stands in relation to some of the other Middleham battalion. Norwegian Dancer and Chiberta King are progressive, although the latter is one of a few in the race who were beaten behind Cosmic Sun either at Ascot or at York and therefore Richard Fahey's gelding may hold all the aces again there. As open a race as you will ever find, and with last year's winning stable represented by no fewer than six runners, it is Sabotage who can wreck all of the best laid plans of his rivals.
Too Much Trouble 15-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 9l behind Kite Wood (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 5f (1) gd.
Sabotage (UAE) 9-2fav (8-3) In touch, pushed along and outpaced entering straight, headway from 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Munsef (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf.
Matraash (USA) 4-5fav (9-7) Made all, set steady pace, quickened 4f out, ridden approaching final furlong, unchallenged, won at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Cosimo (8-8) by 5l, 4 ran.
Akmal 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, soon led, hard ridden and under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd beating Sabotage (9-9) by ns, 8 ran.
Barwell Bridge 12-1 (8-5) Pressed leader, led 2f out, headed just over 1f out, no chance with winner inside final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Cosmic Sun (7-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Cosmic Sun 7-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Lochiel (9-8) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Classic Vintage (USA) 6-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden and headway entering final 2f, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Cool Strike (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Topolski (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Raced keenly in touch, hampered on rail after 3f and lost place, headway on inner from 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Cosmic Sun (7-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Chiberta King 8-1 (8-1) Prominent, pulled hard, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, took 2nd post, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Cosmic Sun (7-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Norwegian Dancer (UAE) 9-4 (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Hallstatt (9-2) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Braveheart Move (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Chester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May beating Quai D'orsay (9-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
State Banquet (USA) 7-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden along 3f out, driven to narrow lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind The Cayterers (9-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Becausewecan (USA) 7-1 (8-4) Pushed along leaving stalls briefly, soon tracking winner racing keenly, ridden 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Quai D'orsay (9-4) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Fin Vin de Leu (GER) 2-1fav (8-1) Pressed leader, led 5f out, headed 3f out, lost 2nd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Bergonzi (9-1) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Highland Glen 7-1 (8-7) Towards rear, plenty to do over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 19, 5l behind Cosmic Sun (7-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Funday 11-4fav (9-6) Keen, held up in rear, switched right and headway from over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reached winner, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Dome Rocket (9-5) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
