mid-division, took closer order over 4f out, went 2nd and ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, led inside final furlong, stayed on, ridden out
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway when not clear run and switched right over 2f out, no further impression until stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, effort 3f out, edged left under pressure over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, 6th and held when squeezed entering final furlong
soon held up towards rear, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, gradually weakened from 2f out
slowly away, switched left soon after start, behind, ridden and some headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
always mid-division
mid-division, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and switched left over 2f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra, lost 2nd near finish
in touch, effort 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden when slightly hampered and lost place 2f out, stayed on well final 100 yards, went 2nd near finish
Sergeant Cecil is a class act and he can land this event at the main expense of Regime and Tranquil Tiger. The selection is a multiple Group 2 winner, he will handle the ground and if he is fit enough to do himself justice on his seasonal reappearance then he should take all the beating. Regime has got some rock solid form and he will certainly have no problems going on this ground, but there is a slight worry about the trip for him and on that basis we will pass him over. Tranquil Tiger is best on really quick ground, while the Sir Michael Stoute yard won this race last year and he will be hopeful of a big run from Red Gala. He looks a better bet than Stoute's other runner Galactic Star, although the worry is they will both find at least a couple too good. Bauer has got solid course and distance form but this is a step-up in class for him and we are happy to return to the classy Sergeant Cecil to land the prize.
Royal And Regal (IRE) 2-1fav (8-4) Chased clear leader, led on bit over 2f out, shaken up entering final furlong, edged left, readily, won at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct beating Balkan Knight (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bauer (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Took keen hold, led, strongly pressed from 4f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 10l behind Halicarnassus (8-13) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept.
Gower Song 16-1 (8-7) Settled in last, never able to challenge, 7th of 16, 6l behind Sun Classique (8-7) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) fbs in Mar.
Ivy Creek (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, carried right over 1f out, checked on stands rail final furlong, switched left, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Crime Scene (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Red Gala 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leader after 3f, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Crime Scene (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Sergeant Cecil 6-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace, 5th of 9, 10l behind Septimus (9-1) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Ajhar (USA) 5-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, no extra when headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Heaven Knows (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Big Robert 18-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 7, 6l behind Kirklees (8-9) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk (2) gf in Sept.
Malt Or Mash (USA) 8-11fav (9-0) Held up 5th, headway to chase leaders inside final 3f, ridden to lead over 1f out, asserted final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f lst stk (1) pol in Mar beating Miramare (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Petara Bay (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Towards rear, 11th, struggling straight, soon behind, 15th of 17, 34l behind Authorized (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Regime (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Close up, kept on to chase leaders over 1f out, hung right and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Crime Scene (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Tempelstern (GER) 12-1 (9-4) In touch, led after 3f, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon beaten, 16th of 19, 20l behind Speed Gifted (8-11) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Tranquil Tiger 11-4 (9-3) Mid-division, took closer order 6f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Lion Sands (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Zaham (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Stumbled badly start, in touch after 2f, weakened quickly, eased over 2f out, last of 14, 27l behind Hattan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) pol in Mar.
Alfie Flits 7-2 (9-11) Held up in 4th, progress after halfway, 2nd 5f out, ridden to challenge entering straight, 3rd and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Peppertree Lane (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
