prominent, led over 4f out, made rest, ridden clear final furlong, ran on strongly
last pair, weakened over 2f out
chased leader 1f, handy 3rd, weakened well over 1f out
led over 1f, chased winner, ridden over 1f out, no impression, lost 2nd just inside final furlong, weakened into 4th final 50 yards
held up in 4th place, closer over 2f out, went 2nd just inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
off the pace in rear, pushed along halfway, no impression when hung left and ridden over 1f out, kept on well into 3rd final 50 yards
Invincible Army had been progressing well before finding little at the business end in last week’s Diamond Jubilee at Ascot. This is less competitive but MR LUPTON looks a safer bet. Richard Fahey’s charge returned to action with a Group 2 victory at the Curragh last month and is back on the all-weather for the first time since finishing fifth in this contest as a three-year-old. Above The Rest has been competing over longer trips for most of this year but won last year’s renewal and beat Island Of Life at Wolverhampton in March. Laugh A Minute has a bit to find on last year’s form with Invincible Army while something looked amiss with Encrypted at the All-Weather Championships in April and he hasn’t raced since.
Invincible Army (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders near side of group, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 17, 5l behind Blue Point (9-3) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Mr Lupton (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, switched left before halfway, pushed along and headway on stands' side over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, edged right and kept on well, won at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in May beating Speak In Colours (9-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Above The Rest (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place and behind, weakened final furlong, 19th of 20, 23 1/4l behind Firmament (9-4) at York 7f hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Encrypted 7-1 (9-5) Prominent on inside, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 11, 19 1/4l behind Kachy (9-5) at Lingfield 6f stks (2) pol in Apr.
Laugh A Minute 6-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, poised to challenge 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, outpaced inside final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Shabaaby (9-5) at Haydock 6f stks (2) gs in May.
Island Of Life (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Went right start, towards rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Billesdon Brook (9-0) at Chelmsford City 7f lst fll stks (1) pol in Jun.
Fille De Reve 7-1 (9-1) Steadied start, raced keenly and held up towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 9, 18l behind Embour (8-10) at Newbury 6f hcp (2) gd in May.
