tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong, took 2nd towards finish
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
chased leader, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, one pace, no impression
slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden and outpaced over 1f out
held up in rear and keen, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression
behind and pushed along, ridden well over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never dangerous
Philharmonic can gain his biggest success to date, with Fayr Jag, Masta Plasta and Mecca's Mate all lively dangers. Richard Fahey has always maintained that Philharmonic has what it takes to make it at Group level, and on the five-year-old's latest performances, his faith is sure to be justified sooner rather than later. Seventh in a Group 2 at York in May, he has since showed his wellbeing by finishing second to Etlaala in a Listed contest at Salisbury, and has just as good a chance as the rest of his rivals here. Fayr Jag likes fast ground and won the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot two years ago but has been hard to place since, while Masta Plasta was a very useful juvenile but has it to do on his belated reappearance. Mecca's Mate can be prominent for a while, but is another with more to do, and for the winner we return to Philharmonic.
Beckermet (IRE) 125-1 (9-4) Raced alone in centre, in touch to halfway, soon weakened, last of 18, 21l behind Les Arcs (9-4) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Celtic Mill 100-1 (9-2) Raced far side, tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened, 20th of 28, 8l behind Takeover Target (9-7) at Ascot 5f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 15th of 18, 12l behind Les Arcs (9-4) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Philharmonic 7-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on well and every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Etlaala (9-7) at Salisbury 6f lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Royal Millennium (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Behind, never dangerous, last of 16, 19l behind Steenberg (9-2) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Mecca's Mate 100-1 (8-13) Chased leaders near side, ridden over 2f out, weakened, 14th of 28, 4l behind Takeover Target (9-7) at Ascot 5f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) With leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Balthazaar's Gift (8-11) at York 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gs in Oct.