took keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, never reached leaders and one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon strongly pressed, ridden and kept narrow advantage until headed 1f out, kept on but outpaced by leading duo inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway travelling strongly on bit 2f out, rider delayed challenge until approaching final furlong, shaken up and quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, most impressive
chased leaders, driven and every chance 1f out, stayed on but not pace of leaders inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
led until 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, eased when no chance final furlong
PACO BOY has confirmed himself to be a top class horse and should take this at the main expense of Zacinto, although The Cheka, Pipedreamer and Lord Shanakill are smart animals in their own right and should all run well. Richard Hannon's five-year-old has divided opinion over the years as to whether he does or does not stay a mile at the top level, but that debate is surely now over as he's proved himself more than worthy with two wins in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown and a fine second to Rip Van Winkle in the Sussex Stakes surrounding his best day when winning the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. Rated 124, he's little to fear from today's opponents and his potent turn of foot can see him home in front to add to his tally of Group wins. If there is to be a slight upset then Zacinto could be the one to provide it. Sir Michael Stoute's Group Two winner is quite closely matched with Paco Boy on a line through Rip Van Winkle and he won first time out on both of his seasonal returns, firstly when winning a maiden in 2008 and then when landing a Listed race last August. He acts on the ground and remains a horse capable of making his mark in top company. The Cheka has a bit to find with our selection on their Sandown meeting but he's only had four starts and could go well for each way backers, indeed he's just preferred on that front to Lord Shanakill whose Group One win last term has not worked out at all well. With a rating of 118 he's officially as good as Pipedreamer but Kevin Ryan's new recruit is more reliable and it's not inconceivable he could've improved for a change of scenery. Ouqba won last year's Jersey Stakes but that Group Three is more his level and Barry Hills' charge hasn't won beyond seven furlongs, so there have to be stamina doubts. There were once similar doubts about Paco Boy but they've been put to bed and he can do the same to his rivals.
Kargali (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Soon raced in 5th, closer in 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge in 2nd 1 1/2f out, just led and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 7f Grp 3 hvy in Apr beating Rayeni (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Lord Shanakill (USA) 15-2 (8-12) Off bit slow,inside, 12th of 14, 8l behind California Flag (9-0) at Santa Anita(USA) 6f Grp 1 (1) fm in Nov.
Ouqba 5-1 (9-1) Bumped start, tracked leaders, not clear run briefly over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Arabian Gleam (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Paco Boy (IRE) 11-10fav (9-0) Raced keenly, tracked leading trio on outside, travelling easily 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, easily, won at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Pressing (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Pipedreamer 25-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on outer from over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 14, 2l behind Twice Over (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Prince Of Dance 8-1 (9-0) Keen, held up in last pair, ridden on inside 3f out, never a factor, last of 9, 10l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Stimulation (IRE) 6-4fav (9-2) Chased leaders, chased winner briefly over 1f out, soon unable to quicken, one pace, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Ashram (8-13) at Newbury 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Sep.
The Cheka (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up in 7th, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, never any chance with easy winner, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Zacinto 17-4 (8-11) Drifted 6wd str,eased, last of 11, 39l behind Goldikova (8-11) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) fm in Nov.
