raced far side, in rear, outpaced over 2f out, never nearer
raced center, overall leader, joined far side group and still led over 2f out, soon ridden headed well inside final furlong, rallied close home
raced far side, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
raced center, tracked leader, switched to chase leaders far side halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced far side, in rear when hampered 5f out, never a factor
raced far side, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced far side, chase winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
switched to race far side soon after start, led that group, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on gamely
raced far side, held up, switched right 2f out, kept on, never nearer
raced center, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, ran on
raced far side, in touch, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge
raced far side, held up, weakened over 1f out
raced far side, always in rear
raced far side, in rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer
Always a highlight of the season and a fantastic race in prospect, with plenty of collateral form for us to consider, but the way STARSPANGLEDBANNER took the Golden Jubilee over this trip at Royal Ascot suggests that he is the one they all have to beat, while last year's victor Fleeting Spirit, along with Society Rock and Kingsgate Native are all hugely respected. The last-named remains relatively lightly-raced for a sprinter, and he himself was good enough to win the Golden Jubilee two years ago. Fast ground suits and he is adaptable from 5f to 6f, with Group 1 wins at both trips. He has beaten and been beaten by Equiano this term, but if at his best today he does just look a shade better than that opponent, who won the King's Stand at Royal Ascot and is arguably best over the minimum distance. Society Rock was behind our pick at that meeting and while there is no obvious reason why he should turn the tables, he certainly showed improved form that day and is going the right way. The international challenge is headed up by Kinsale King, who has two lengths to find with our selection on their Golden Jubilee running. He won the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March and having experienced English conditions once he may be able to find a bit more this time. Varenar has bags of class but looked tapped for toe over this short at Ascot and preference is for Starspangledbanner. Aidan O'Brien's Choisir-colt showed that he handled quick ground really well last time when he was impressive. He really looks to have found his feet at this level now and will take some stopping in his bid to follow-up.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Raced stands side, held up in rear, headway on outside of group over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 7th of 24, 4l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Equiano (FR) 9-2 (9-4) Stumbled start, raced stand side, made most, ridden over 1f out, edged right and ran on final furlong, won at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Markab (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kingsgate Native (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Raced center, in touch, ridden and merged with stand side 2f out, one pace when bumped over 1f out, 6th of 12, 4l behind Equiano (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Kinsale King (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Raced stands side, prominent, chased winner 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 24, 2l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Marchand D'or (FR) 11-1 (9-4) Raced stands side, held up on rail, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not able to reach leaders, 11th of 24, 4 1/2l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Nicconi (AUS) 10-3 (9-4) Dwelt raced stand side, in rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, ran on near finish, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Equiano (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Prime Defender 33-1 (9-4) Raced far side, led group until narrowly headed halfway, stayed challenging, every chance that side from 2f out until weakened final 100 yards, 9th of 24, 4 1/2l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Starspangledbanner (AUS) 13-2fav (9-4) Raced stands side, made all on rail, ridden and edged right over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, won at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Society Rock (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 24 ran.
Varenar (FR) 25-1 (9-4) Raced far side, dwelt, soon chased leaders, led group 2f out until 1f out, stayed on same pace towards finish, 8th of 24, 4l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Alverta (AUS) 40-1 (9-1) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden and every chance that side 2f out, weakened just over 1f out, 14th of 24, 7l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Fleeting Spirit (IRE) 13-2fav (9-1) Raced far side, held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead that group just over 1f out, ran on well, not quite on terms with leaders stands side, 4th of 24, 2 1/2l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Serious Attitude (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Raced far side, held up last, headway on outside of group over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace of leaders stands side, 10th of 24, 4 1/2l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Showcasing 8-1 (8-11) Raced stands side, dwelt, held up towards rear, hanging right when slightly hampered 2f out, never a factor, eased when no chance final furlong, last of 24, 29l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Society Rock (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Raced stands side, held up in rear, not clear run travelling well when switched sharply right and hampered rivals 2f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 24, 1 3/4l behind Starspangledbanner (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
