tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
steadied start in touch in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, ran on near finish
tracked leader, led 3f out, edged left ridden and ran on final furlong
keen close up, pushed along 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
close up, switched right over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong
Nonrunner
ALOFT, a maiden winner here in October, beat all bar Elm Park in the Racing Post Trophy where he stayed on well. He's by Galileo out of a 5f winner and though most of his numerous winning relatives have scored at a mile or less he's expected to be even better suited by this trip and further. Tempus Temporis completed a Polytrack double before finding a slow pace against him in the three-year-old championship race over a mile at Lingfield. His pedigree suggests this longer trip will suit and he can provide the main threat. Azmaam got no sort of run at any stage in the Tattersalls Millions here last month though he'll still need to find some improvement. Rocky Rider, who finished a close third in that race, is the only one guaranteed to stay having won over the trip at Chelmsford. Best Of Times hasn't had much to beat so far but has numerous Group 1 entries and connections must believe he has plenty of improvement in him.
Azmaam (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Led 1f, keen tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not clear run entering final furlong, effort when short of room near finish, 5th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Cape Clear Island (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo auc stk (2) gf in Apr.
Balios (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Nov beating Pathway To Honour (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Best Of Times 4-9fav (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Salisbury 7f 2yo nov stk (4) gd in Oct beating Risen Sun (9-0) by nk, 3 ran.
My Reward 11-2 (9-7) In touch on outside, ridden and lost place over 3f out, behind final 2f, last of 7, 25l behind Dark Wave (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Mar.
Rocky Rider 7-4fav (9-5) Taken to post early, keen led after 1f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, rallied close home, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Cape Clear Island (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo auc stk (2) gf in Apr.
Tempus Temporis (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Keen, close up, effort to chase winner over 1f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Four Seasons (9-5) at Lingfield 1m cond stks (2) pol in Apr.
Aloft (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) In touch in rear, headway when switched left 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Elm Park (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.