pulled hard close up, ridden every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, outpaced 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
keen, chased leader, ridden 3f out, became unbalanced downhill over 1f out, lost ground, ridden and stayed on again inside final furlong
pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leader, weakened over 3f out
steadied start, pulled hard, held up towards rear, smooth headway from over 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, soon clear, eased inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leader over 5f
held up, outpaced halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on
held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, soon eased
chased leader, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon weakened
keen, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, driven, stayed on final furlong
While the general form of Aidan O'Brien's horses has to be of concern, there is no doubting that George Washington has the best form in the book and he is taken to make a winning return at the main expense of Amadeus Wolf and Sir Percy. The selection improved with each start last term, winning his last four starts including the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and National Stakes on his last two starts. Neither ground nor trip should be a problem and it would not be the first time that an O'Brien's horse had peaked at just the right time for the Guineas. Middle Park winner Amadeus Wolf has plenty of speed and is less likely to appreciate the mile today, while another of the three Ballydoyle representatives Horatio Nelson may get run off his feet on this ground. Barry Hills also saddles three runners with Craven winner Killybegs looking to be the pick of his trio over Red Clubs and Olympian Odyssey, while Asset may want a softer surface to show his best form. Godolphin's Opera Cape has a bit to find with Sir Percy on Dewhurst running and Marcus Tregoning's colt is an obvious danger on his reappearance but, in the hope that all is well with the O'Brien camp, it is George Washington that gets the vote.
Amadeus Wolf 4-1 (8-11) Keen, chased leader over 4f out, led aopproaching 1f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Sept beating Red Clubs (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Araafa (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, effort over 1f out, hard driven and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Hurricane Cat (8-9) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Asset (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, headway on bit 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened away, won at Kempton 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Apr beating Royal Power (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Close To You (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Apr beating Kingsgate Prince (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Final Verse 9-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up, headway from 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Hurricane Cat (8-9) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Frost Giant (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Close 2nd, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct beating Abigail Pett (9-0) by 3l, 5 ran.
George Washington (IRE) 2-11fav (9-0) Held up, stumbled shortly after start, 3rd and headway 2f out, led over 1f out, egded left, kept on well, won at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 gd in Sept beating Golden Arrow (9-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Horatio Nelson (IRE) 8-11fav (9-0) Held up in touch, short of room 4f out, headway and not clear run well over 1f out, switched right and ridden, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Sir Percy (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Killybegs (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden clear, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr beating Metropolitan Man (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Misu Bond (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Held up, improved halfway, led approaching 2f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (1) gf in Apr beating Jeremy (8-13) by a nk, 8 ran.
Olympian Odyssey 3-1co-fav (8-13) Tracked winner, not clear run from over 2f out, dropped to rear over 1f out, squeezed through inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, shd behind Atlantic Waves (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
Opera Cape 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Sir Percy (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Red Clubs (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Raced freely, made virtually all, quickened 2 lengths clear over 1f out, in no danger when eased near finish, won at Newbury 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Marcus Andronicus (9-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
Sir Percy 9-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct beating Horatio Nelson (9-0) by a nk, 8 ran.
