in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
set strong pace, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right and ran on final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never a factor
raced wide early, prominent, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
awkwardly away tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace
pulled hard towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
Joshua Tree is very capable on his day and should be kept on the right side but there's no doubting the high standard set by Irish raider, TRADING LEATHER. After filling the minor placing in the Irish 2000 Guineas last term, he compiled a record of outstanding consistency at the very highest level, hallmarked by success in the Irish Derby. He was subsequently runner-up against his elders in the King George at Ascot and the Juddmonte International before concluding his campaign with a respectable third in the Irish Champion - a superb sequence at Group 1 level. Jim Bolger should have him ready for this reappearance and he's impossible to oppose if sustaining last season's level of excellence. It will be fascinating to see how many of these take to the rise in grade, of which Pether's Moon makes most appeal although a stronger contender could be Penglai Pavilion, a very interesting addition to Godolphin's UK operation.
Times Up 20-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader 3f, handy 3rd, went 2nd again over 3f out until ridden over 2f out, chased leaders, edged right and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 4l behind Royal Diamond (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Brass Ring 5-6fav (9-2) Close up, effort on inner over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr beating Viewpoint (9-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Gospel Choir 11-1 (8-13) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Mull Of Killough (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Havana Beat (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Keen always in rear, 8th of 11, 11l behind Leading Light (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Sep.
Penglai Pavilion (USA) 7-2fav (8-11) 7th of 15, 4l behind Excellent Result (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 2 std in Mar.
Pether's Moon (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Made virtually all, quickened clear over 1f out, soon edged right, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov beating Gatewood (9-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Renew (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) 8th of 12, 10l behind Cavalryman (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 6f Grp 3 gd in Mar.
Trading Leather (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind The Fugue (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Joshua Tree (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) 5th of 8, 7l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Grp 1 sft in Apr.