held up and behind, never nearer
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride, behind, headway and not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and one-paced
keen held, mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase winner 3f out to over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
keen, tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one-paced final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
made virtually all, ridden 2f out, stayed on gamely
prominent, ridden over 4f out, stayed on same pace
Hannibal Lad is 20lb higher than when winning last year's race. Takamaka Bay looked progressive when sent of favourite for this race last year (he finished eighth) and is now rated a pound lower. Mark Johnston's other runner, Mana D'Argent ran a blinder in the Ascot Stakes but this is a mile shorter. Court Shareef was well beaten in this race last year but is six pounds lower in the ratings. Red Carnation's fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Counsel's Opinion three-quarters of a length ahead of him, and now a pound worse off, Takamaka Bay a length behind, same terms today, Tamiami Trail now two lengths further back, same terms today) reads pretty well. Course and distance winner Bollin Nellie has been raised eight pounds for an easy soft-ground success at York. Barathea Blazer caught the eye when running on in The King George VI Stakes and is entitled to run well here. It's competitive, as you would expect for the valuable and prestigious prize.