towards rear, some headway inside final 2f, never in contention
mid-division, good headway from 2f out, shaken up and led just over 1f out, ran on and soon clear
always behind and outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
steadied start, settled in rear, no chance over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders on inside, driven along over 3f out, headway to lead narrowly over 1f out, soon headed and weakened inside final furlong
slowly into strike, behind, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
held up in mid-division on inside, going well enough over 2f out, soon ridden, not quicken and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, steady headway to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd well inside final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, always held
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led narrowly, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, wide over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out
with leader to approaching 2f out, weakened quickly soon after and eased inside final furlong
Covert Ambition will do well to win from the one box so we'll take the better drawn BUGAKU to hold court with Dark Prospect and Ahlawy amongst others considered. Saeed Bin Suroor sent out the winner of this race two years ago and there was a lot to like about the seven length victory in a backend Nottingham of this Hardwicke Stakes entrant. Sir Michael Stoute sent out Ogee to finish fourth behind the Godolphin owned winner two years ago before that one went on to fill the same position at Royal Ascot. He'll be hoping for better from the well-bred Bugaku who returned from a nigh on eighteen month absence to win his maiden at Sandown. Visually, the race appeared to be decent so it will be interesting to see how he fares here although he appears sure to be suited by a longer trip in time. Dark Prospect battled on well to win at Leicester but lacks the same scope, Ahlawy lacks a run and is 8lbs higher whilst Trans Siberian doesn't win often enough. Humble Opinion enters calculations on the back of a decent effort whilst Rattan is also of interest on her first attempt over this trip given the way that she finished at Haydock. Interesting fare but Bugaku may be able to lead them a merry dance.
Grand Passion (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 9, 37l behind Lady Jane Digby (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in May.
Covert Ambition 15-8fav (9-3) Held up, good headway well over 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon clear, won at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Oct beating Arts Guild (9-3) by 7l, 15 ran.
Kevkat (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) 5th of 6, 10l behind Nice Style (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo stks pol in Oct.
Paktolos (FR) 28-1 (8-13) Never better than mid-division, 12th of 18, 15l behind Hatton Flight (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (3) gd in Apr.
Humble Opinion 9-1 (8-11) Steadied start, behind, under pressure well over 4f out, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on well, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Hatton Flight (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Ahlawy (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, went second 4f out, led 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr beating Empowered (9-4) by 4l, 6 ran.
Encircled 5-1 (9-7) In touch, driven 2f out, not much room on inner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Aphrodisia (8-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf in Apr.
Bugaku 4-1 (9-7) In touch, quickened to lead well over 1f out, ran on, pushed out and held on well towards finish, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in May beating Spiekeroog (8-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rattan (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, driven and ran on final furlong, held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Angel Rock (8-9) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May.
Trans Siberian 9-4fav (9-3) Dwelt, soon switched right start, headway to lead 8f out, soon clear, reduced lead 3f out, hard ridden from 2f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Martyr (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Dark Prospect 8-1 (9-1) Soon led, headed over 1f out, rallied and led again inside final furlong, soon edged left under pressure, kept on, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May beating Annabelle's Charm (9-2) by nk, 12 ran.
Brouhaha 16-1 (9-8) Raced on outside, towards rear, well behind final 2f, soon eased when no chance, 17th of 19, well behind Trafalgar Bay (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Invasian (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Soon led, headed over 6f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 40l behind Persian Peril (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in May.
Art Man 5-1 (9-5) Steadied start, settled behind, headway 2f out, good run and quickened inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in May beating Bassinet (9-3) by nk, 10 ran.
