dwelt, head up in rear but in touch, switched left 2 out to well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, finished well
tracked leading pair, driven and outpaced well over 1f out, no chance after
took keen hold, held up in 6th, pushed along and outpaced well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten leaders
led and set steady pace, pushed along over 2f out, quickened tempo just inside final 2f, narrowly headed entering final furlong, not pace of winner last half furlong, kept on gamely pressing for 2nd
held up in 5th, outpaced well over 1f out, no chance after
took keen hold early, tracked leaders on inner, eased out travelling well inside final 2f, quickened to lead last half furlong, soon drew clear, impressive
pulled hard, soon tracked leader on outer, challenging from 2f out, took narrow lead entering final furlong, headed and outpaced by winner last half final furlong
This Group Two Celebration Mile is the highlight of this top quality card and DELEGATOR sets the standard after near misses in the 2000 Guineas and St James' Palace stakes so should score on his debut for Godolphin but Zacinto looks a live threat; Mac Love looks best of the rest after a surprise victory last time. This drop in grade might just be the ticket to get the pick in front here especially on ground that he seems to prefer. His Guineas second is the stand out form on offer and he is reportedly working really well at home. Zacinto will have to improve plenty if the official ratings are to be believed but that's not beyond the realms of possibility after just three career starts. His only start as a three-year-old saw him land a listed contest over course and distance so he needs respecting. Mac Love is a dual Group Three winner taking the second of his brace last time when on similarly unfavourable terms. He has a bit of class to prove but is capable on his day. Cesare's Queen Anne form puts him in the picture but the terms look off putting so in a cracker Delegator is taken.
Beacon Lodge (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Held up in 6th, effort on outside 3f out, driven along over 2f out, one pace and no impression when hung right from inside final 2f, 6th of 8, 12l behind Rip Van Winkle (8-13) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Cesare 8-11fav (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Bushman (8-9) at Newmarket 1m stks (2) gd.
Mac Love 25-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, driven and headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, ran on to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gf beating Confront (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ordnance Row 14-1 (9-10) Chased leading pair, pushed along 3f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace final 1f, 6th of 12, 2l behind Carcinetto (8-6) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gf.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden on stands side rail 2f out, no headway, 7th of 9, 10l behind Kirklees (9-2) at York 1m 2f stks (1) gd in Jul.
Delegator 4-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, good headway on inside well over 2f out, tracked leading pair 2f out, switched left over 1f out, soon challenging, took narrow lead inside final furlong, kept on well until headed final 75 yards and held near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Mastercraftsman (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Zacinto 5-2fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, 7th straight, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, driven out, won at Goodwood 1m 3yo lst stk (1) sft beating Hartley (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.
