held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, not clear run on inside over 1f out, switched left and keeping on same pace when not much room inside final furlong
tracked leader until 2f out, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
always behind
slowly into stride, soon mid-division on outside, headway 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, driven and kept on same pace inside final furlong
mainly towards rear
well placed tracking leaders on inside, traveling well in 3rd over 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, ran on to lead final 50 yards
tracked leaders, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 50 yards, kept on for clear 2nd
tracked leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no extra and lost places towards finish
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace and no impression inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace in 3rd
steadied start, always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, edged right under pressure and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
always towards rear, behind and struggling final 2f, tailed off
held up in mid-division, switched left 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Winners of this are often well backed so the market should be scrutinised. Last year's winner Red Avenger came right back to form at Newcastle recently and only has 3lb more to carry this time, though has been done no favours by the draw. Last year's third, Magic City, also appears to have a modest draw but can confirm running with Fort Bastion and Bronze Angel. Basem improved again to beat MUNAASER half-a-length at Sandown but the runner-up, who didn't get the run of the race, is a couple of pounds better off and must have every chance of turning the tables. He'll need luck in-running from stall four but a fast pace will suit. Gm Hopkins won the Royal Hunt Cup but is 6lb higher and the second has let the form down since while Chil The Kite is difficult to catch right. But Ayaar could be interesting if back to his best and both Ayr winner Two For Two and the consistent Donncha can't be left out of calculations.
Gm Hopkins 8-1fav (9-3) Raced far side, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders, travelling well when not clear run and switched sharply left over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun beating Temptress (8-12) by nk, 30 ran.
Chil The Kite 15-2 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, 16th of 17, 26l behind Rene Mathis (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Baltic Knight (IRE) 6-1fav (9-7) Held up in touch on inside, pushed along over 3f out, headway far side over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders well over 1f out, 4th and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Top Notch Tonto (9-7) at York 1m lst stks (1) gs in Jun.
Bronze Angel (IRE) 7-1fav (9-9) In rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 10th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Rene Mathis (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Ocean Tempest 25-1 (9-10) Dwelt, tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out, 16th of 22, 14 1/4l behind Gabrial (9-0) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Big Baz (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Chased clear leader and clear of rest, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 6, 20 1/2l behind Intilaaq (8-8) at Newbury 1m 2f lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Basem 7-2fav (9-2) Half reared start, soon recovered tracking leaders on inside, switched left off rail 2f out, soon 2nd, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on well, won at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul beating Munaaser (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lincoln (IRE) 7-1fav (9-5) Behind centre, outpaced over 2f out, edged right and weakened final furlong, 16th of 20, 10 1/4l behind Heaven's Guest (9-4) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) sft in Jul.
So Beloved 15-2fav (9-12) Restless and dwelt start, held up, edging left from 2f out, some late headway, never dangerous, 10th of 17, 5 1/2l behind Jallota (9-8) at York 7f hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Belgian Bill 9-1 (9-2) In touch, weakened entering final furlong, 19th of 22, 18 3/4l behind Gabrial (9-0) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Ayaar (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong, 9th of 17, 6l behind Rene Mathis (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Magic City (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) 4th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Samurai Sword (9-1) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb.
The Rectifier (USA) 33-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Birdman (9-9) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Two For Two (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Ayr 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun beating Santefisio (8-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Munaaser 20-1 (9-0) Held up in last trio, headway on inside rail over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on well into 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Basem (9-2) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Red Avenger (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun beating Eutropius (8-8), 8 ran.
Loving Spirit 25-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, never nearer, 9th of 17, 8l behind Master Carpenter (9-4) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Donncha (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Chased leaders far side, ridden and effort 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Heaven's Guest (9-4) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) sft in Jul.
Fort Bastion (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division centre, effort 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase leaders final furlong, no impression, 6th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Heaven's Guest (9-4) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) sft in Jul.
You're Fired (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Birdman (9-9) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
