tracked leading pair, quick move to lead approaching final 3f, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner, well held when lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, held on for 3rd
led 1f, tracked leader, tracked new leader 3f out, led 2f out, clear over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, stayed on well, readily
tracked leading trio, closer in 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, recovered to lead after 1f, headed approaching final 3f, weakened rapidly
raced keenly, held up in last pair, plugged on final furlong, never any chance
raced keenly, held up in 5th, pushed along 3f out, plugged on, never any chance
steadied start, held up last, kept on final furlong, never any chance
CRYSTAL OCEAN is impossible to oppose as he’s already won a Group 3 this season and is in a different league to these on seconds last year in both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and the Champion Stakes. Laraaib won the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot last year and both placed horses have won good contests this year so he looks the one for forecast-backers as Raymond Tusk is giving that pair 2lb and seems better over a bit further nowadays. Official ratings suggest the others have a lot to find.
Raymond Tusk (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge 2f out, went 2nd when ridden over 1f out, kept on, readily outpaced by winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Dee Ex Bee (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
Crystal Ocean 5-6fav (9-0) Pushed along to track leader 8f out, pushed along over 2f out, led and edged right over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr beating Knight To Behold (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Laraaib (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Shade keen, tracked leader 4f, handy 3rd, 2nd again and every chance 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Marmelo (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Count Calabash (IRE) 3-1fav (9-10) Pressed leader until led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Forbidden Planet (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Pivoine (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Held up last, some late minor headway, never on terms, 6th of 7, 8l behind Crystal Ocean (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Red Verdon (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Dwelt in rear, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 5th of 7, 13 1/2l behind Communique (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
Top Tug (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway under pressure over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression, 10th of 33, 14 1/2l behind Low Sun (9-2) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp stks (2) gf in Oct.
