very slowly away, always behind, eased over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened when not much room
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression after
prominent, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
with leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside last, not quicken
held up behind, ridden and headway when switched left over 1f out, led inside last, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
In any normal year Airwave and Somnus would be popular choices with backers and would hold solid claims in the tracks most prestigious event of the year but this is no normal year now that Oasis Dream has begun to show his true ability and John Gosden's three-year-old is taken to complete a Group 1 hat-trick. Arguably in need of the outing when third behind Choisir and Airwave in the King's Stand Stakes on his belated reappearance, the son of Green Desert has not looked back since with wins in the July Cup and, latterly, in impressive fashion in the Nunthorpe at York. The return to six furlongs should not hinder Oasis Dream, who is confidently expected to win again. The selection reversed Royal Ascot form with Airwave at Newmarket and should once more have the measure of Henry Candy's filly, although she did get worked up in the preliminaries at Newmarket and, if available at an each-way price, could be worth a saver. The improving Somnus looks the pick of the remainder but this represents a big step up in class for Tim Easterby's gelding, as it does for stablemate Fayr Jag. The Tatling has done little wrong all season but is another likely to be fighting out minor honours behind Oasis Dream.
