slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway on inside over 2f out, hung left disputing well held 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra in 4th final 100 yards
tracked leader, led inside final 2f, shaken up and went clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
raced keenly, held up tracking leaders on inside, switched right 3f out, not clear run and switched back left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
held up in 5th, never threatened
raced keenly tracking leading pair, smooth headway out wide over 2f out, ridden disputing 2nd over 1f out, outright 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards, kept on
led and set decent pace until steadied tempo 8f out, pushed along and quickened over 3f out, headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
edgy and wore hood to post, raced keenly and steadied rear, never a factor, eased when no chance inside final furlong
ILARAAB made a winning reappearance at York last year when beating Raymond Tusk and ended the season with a defeat of Max Vega in the Group 3 St Simon over course and distance. He’s penalised for the latter success but another bold bid is expected. 2020 Dante winner Thunderous failed to get his head in front last year and has been gelded. Christophe Soumillon takes the ride while Queen’s Vase third Stowell hasn’t raced since going wrong at Newmarket last summer. Red Verdon was well beaten in this last season and the filly Invite is a Listed winner at Chester.
Ilaraab (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up off the pace in last pair, smooth headway 3f out, went between horses over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Max Vega (9-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Max Vega (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Ilaraab (9-4) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Raymond Tusk (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, going best when switcher to outer 4f out, led 3f out, nudged out, readily, won at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Mar beating Sir Rumi (9-2) by 4l, 7 ran.
Red Verdon (USA) 11-2 (9-10) Dwelt keen close up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Halimi (8-13) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Apr.
Stowell 11-4 (9-1) Dropped out leaving stalls, in rear, switched wide over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor, last of 5, 16 1/2l behind Yibir (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Thunderous (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Pressed leader, until ridden over 2f out, plugged on final furlong, 4th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Wonderful Tonight (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Jun.
Invite (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never involved, 5th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Eshaada (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Oct.
