close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
tracked winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden over 2f out, headed briefly over 1f out, driven out, gamely
tracked leaders, ridden and headway to lead briefly over 1f out, kept on one pace, lost 2nd towards finish
in touch, effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
keen in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
dwelt towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Sir Michael Stoute has a tremendous record in this having won half of the last 10 renewals. He's represented here by last year's Yorkshire Cup winner Gospel Choir, who returned after a long break to land a Listed contest here last month, and Hillstar, runner-up to Cavalryman in this last year and the brilliant winner of the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine. SECOND STEP picks up a penalty for his victory over Telescope in the Jockey Club Stakes but he's progressive enough to defy the extra and halt the unbeaten run of Mahsoob. The latter has won two very strong handicaps over 1m2f and is expected to be suited by the longer trip, though this is much tougher.
Second Step (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Close up in 4th, pushed along over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead post, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in May beating Telescope (9-0) by hd, 4 ran.
Ayrad (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leading pair, not clear run over 2f out until switched right to inside rail well over 1f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Goodwood 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gd in May beating Rawaki (9-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Big Orange 8-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along 6f out, left behind final 3f, 7th of 10, 43l behind Clever Cookie (9-6) at York 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd in May.
Gospel Choir Evensfav (9-0) Close up, headway to press leader over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, joined inside final furlong, driven out and ran on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun beating Dubday (9-3) by shd, 5 ran.
Hillstar 16-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, modest 5th towards finish, 5th of 7, 8l behind Snow Sky (9-1) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Mahsoob 7-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along 3f out, effort on outside 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, 2nd entering final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Royal Ascot 1m 2f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in Jun beating Sennockian Star (8-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Niceofyoutotellme 12-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 8th of 13, 2l behind Mahsoob (9-3) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in Jun.
Sheikhzayedroad 33-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up in rear in steadily run race, hanging right when outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went modest 4th towards finish, 4th of 7, 7l behind Snow Sky (9-1) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
