in touch, ridden and held when bumped over 1f out
steadied start held up in touch, headway 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead near finish
ponied to start, prominent, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace
keen close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
keen led, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon edged left, headed near finish
prominent on outer, ridden 2f out, hung left and weakened final furlong
A race that could well live up to its name with no less than six last-time winners, five of whom defend unbeaten records. Everything will revolve around their respective levels of improvement but Bin Battuta and South Seas were arguably the most visually impressive of the British contingent on debut, but White Tower and Boynton are sure to come on for the run too. However, WAR DECREE also impressed first time up at Leopardstown for Ballydoyle and is given the vote with conditions likely to be in his favour. Cunco, son of Frankel, was staying on stoutly at the end of the Chesham Stakes when filling third spot and seems sure to be in the mix again and the Newbury winner looks best of those to have raced more than once.
Bin Battuta 6-4fav (9-2) Held up in touch, pushed along and green over 2f out, switched left inside final 2f, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon edged right and quickened clear, easily, won at Windsor 6f stks (4) gd in Jun beating Sakurajima (9-2) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Boynton (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Close up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, pushed out, won at Goodwood 6f stks (5) gd in Jun beating Mutawatheb (9-2) by nk, 9 ran.
Cunco (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Very keen to post, took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, every chance 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong until ridden inside final furlong, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Churchill (9-3) at Ascot 7f lst stks (1) gs in Jun.
Hyperfocus (IRE) 10-11fav (9-5) In touch, headway halfway, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and pressed inside final furlong, just held on, won at Newcastle 6f stks (4) pol in Jun beating Six Strings (9-2) by hd, 7 ran.
Monks Stand (USA) 66-1 (9-1) Raced centre, close up, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 18, 12 1/2l behind Caravaggio (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Jun.
Mr Scaramanga 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders until pushed along and outpaced 2f out, rallied over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on into never nearer 4th in closing stages, 4th of 13, 2l behind Churchill (9-3) at Ascot 7f lst stks (1) gs in Jun.
Spirit Of Sarwan (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-6) Led, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on until headed and no extra inside last 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Proud Archi (9-3) at Beverley 7f stks (5) gd in Jun.
War Decree (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Chased leader, closer in 2nd into straight, pushed along from 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, led inside final furlong and stayed on best, won at Leopardstown 7f mdn gf in Jun beating Orderofthegarter (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
White Tower (IRE) 2-1 (9-2) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ripon 6f stks (5) gd in Jun beating Zamjar (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
South Seas (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, came clear final furlong, very easily, won at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) sft in Jun beating Winning Ways (9-5) by 8l, 10 ran.
