held up in touch in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
pressed winner until pushed along over 3f out, tracked leaders, ridden and no impression over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
reluctant leader, keen, set steady pace, ridden and quickened pace over 2f out, ran on gamely
tracked leading pair until over 4f out, ridden and soon lost place, not a factor after
keen in touch in rear, switched left 6f out, headway to press winner 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, ran on
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort and switched left inside final furlong, ran on
Sir Michael Stoute has won this five times in the past 10 years and looks to have a strong chance of continuing the sequence. ARAB SPRING has progressed with every run and deserves his chance in this grade after completing a four-timer when carrying a huge weight in Ascot's Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap. He's taking on much better opposition here and will need to improve again but should do so and a five-timer beckons. His stablemate Hillstar is a regular at this sort of level but hasn't won since landing the King Edward VII Stakes last June. He would have finished closer to another stable companion, Telescope, in the Hardwicke Stakes but for failing to get a clear run and it will be a surprise if he's not involved in the finish. Pether's Moon was just behind in third in that latter event having had every chance while Dandino was a further six lengths behind, though that was his first start since a fine run in the Melbourne Cup and it should have brought him on for this. Gatewood beat Pether's Moon at Ascot in May but his best form is at Listed level while Cavalryman only finished third in this a year ago and is better over further.
Excellent Result (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) 11th of 15, 10l behind Gentildonna (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Arab Spring (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right 1f out, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Royal Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun beating Salutation (8-12) by 2l, 18 ran.
Cavalryman 7-4fav (9-0) 2nd of 15, nk behind Certerach (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Dandino 5-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-divison on inside, switched left over 2f out, plugged on same pace and no impression final 2f, 6th of 10, 14l behind Telescope (9-1) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Hillstar 7-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, stayed on final 2f, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd last strides, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Telescope (9-1) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Pether's Moon (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders on outside, switched left over 2f out, 3rd 2f out, stayed on into well held 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Telescope (9-1) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Gatewood 9-4fav (9-3) In touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Sheikhzayedroad (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gs in Jun.
Seismos (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Keen close up, stayed far side alone over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Brown Panther (9-4) at Sandown 2m Grp 3 (1) sft in May.
