held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
set steady pace, quickened and edged right from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
keen, held up, improved from over 2f out, edged right from over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
keen tracked leader, edged right from over 2f out, ridden when struck by rivals whip 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Metropolitan Man gets the vote over Final Verse, with Count Trevisio also to be noted. Metropolitan Man does not have a great win record, but will have the fast ground that he loves, and at the weights must have a sound chance of coming out on top. David Simcock's four-year-old actually takes a drop in class after contesting a Group 3 on his return to action here in June. That was his first outing since February, and he can find the necessary improvement to prevail. Final Verse has been tackling Group and Listed company so also merits respect, but the feeling is that he will find conditions too fast. Count Trevisio was well down the field in the Royal Hunt Cup on his return, but that was his first outing since a spell in Dubai, so he can only fare better, but really, Metropolitan Man has so much going for him that he is the one to beat.
Kew Green (USA) 33-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 6, 27l behind Charlie Cool (9-1) at Nottingham 1m stk (2) gd in Jun.
Count Trevisio (IRE) 18-1 (9-6) Prominent in centre, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 21st of 26, 19l behind Royal Oath (9-0) at Ascot 1m hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Final Verse 9-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway and effort over 1f out, no extra, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 6l behind Winged Cupid (9-4) at Windsor 1m lst stk (1) gs in Jun.
Metropolitan Man 66-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 9th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Silver Touch (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Troubadour (IRE) (9-5) won at Sha Tin 1m slw in Nov beating Ample Gains (8-13) by 3l, 13 ran.
Tell 25-1 (9-4) Always in rear group, never a factor, 6th of 8, 11l behind Winged Cupid (9-4) at Windsor 1m lst stk (1) gs in Jun.