mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, ran on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, running on when badly hampered inside final furlong, not recover
led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner, badly hampered inside final furlong, ridden and ran on
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, hung right and ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, too much to do
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, never near leaders
held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung left, ridden 2 lengths clear when swerved badly right inside final furlong, soon straightened and ran on
always in rear, weakened 2f out, soon eased
The showpiece on Friday's card, The July Cup, should be played out between two Royal Ascot winners and the way in which SCENIC BLAST roasted the Kings Stand field he is preferred to Queen Anne winner Paco Boy while Art Connoisseur and J J The Jet Plane shouldn't be completely ruled out. Having won every major sprint prize his native Australia had to offer the selection then proved too good for the cream of British sprint talent with a brilliant performance to land Ascot's premier five furlong prize. He's just as effective over this slightly longer trip and he seems to act on all ground conditions Paco Boy was also an impressive winner at the Royal meeting but that came over the mile and while he seems best over distances slightly longer than this he has good speed and should at least mount a challenge. As the Golden Jubilee winner Art Connoisseur needs to be respected especially with weight in hand on all of her rival while while J J The Jet Plane is capable of winning at this level but was a little disappointing last time out behind Art Connoisseur. At his very best Takeover Target is a live contender but on recent effort the vote has to be with Scenic Blast.
Ancien Regime (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Steadied start, raced keenly and held up behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, chased winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Knot In Wood (9-3) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Equiano (FR) 14-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 15, 7l behind Scenic Blast (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f (1) gf in Jun.
Intrepid Jack 12-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, weakened quickly 2f out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Gallagher (8-5) at Newbury 7f cond Stakes (3) gf.
J J The Jet Plane (SAF) 5-2fav (9-4) Led until over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Art Connoisseur (8-11) at Royal Ascot 6f (1) gf in Jun.
King's Apostle (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up, headway halfway, soon hard ridden, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 7l behind Art Connoisseur (8-11) at Royal Ascot 6f (1) gf in Jun.
Main Aim 5-1 (9-0) Took keen hold early, prominent and chasing group, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach winner, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Paco Boy (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Held up, smooth headway between horses over 2f out, soon chasing leader, led approaching final furlong, shaken up and soon quickened clear, ridden out, won at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Cesare (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Prime Defender (8-13) 13th of 14, 14l behind Sacred Kingdom (8-13) at Kranji(SNG) 6f Grp 1 gd in May.
Scenic Blast (AUS) 11-4fav (9-4) Held up behind mid-division, smooth headway on outside to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, pushed out, won at Royal Ascot 5f (1) gf in Jun beating Fleeting Spirit (9-1) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Takeover Target (AUS) (8-13) 8th of 14, 7l behind Sacred Kingdom (8-13) at Kranji(SNG) 6f Grp 1 gd in May.
African Rose 5-1 (9-5) 4th of 9, 2l behind Tax Free (9-2) at Chantilly(FR) 5f stks in May.
Fleeting Spirit (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Dwelt, held up, headway inside final 2f, led over 1f out, soon headed and kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Scenic Blast (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f (1) gf in Jun.
Art Connoisseur (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, hard ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Royal Ascot 6f (1) gf in Jun beating Cannonball (9-4) by nk, 14 ran.
