dwelt, held up in last place, switched left and plenty to do 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly to lead near finish
slowly into stride, held up, never near leaders
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, keeping on when slightly hampered inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
keen, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never dangerous
in rear, ridden and no impression final 2f
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakening when hampered over 1f out
chased leader, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven towards finish, headed post
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakened and edged right over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, hung right inside final furlong then left, kept on
The July Stakes can go to Winker Watson, who is selected ahead of Swiss Franc and Spirit Of Sharjah. The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained selection caught the eye in both looks and performance when landing the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and, with the step up to six furlongs hardly likely to trouble him, he looks the one that they all have to beat. Spirit Of Sharjah was a length-and-a-quarter behind him in third in the same race so has to be afforded plenty of respect also. The Coventry Stakes runner-up, Swiss Franc also rates as a major player. The Coventry Stakes seventh, Bob's Surprise, can also go well, as can his stable companion Dark Angel, who looked to be crying out for six furlongs when eleventh in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Having finished an excellent fourth in the same race, Dream Eater also earns respect and Fat Boy was sixth in the same contest and could fare better over today's sixth furlong. Gaspar van Wittel has looked progressive in landing two events, although today represents a step up in class, while King's Icon and River Proud are interesting newcomers. That said, they are going to have to go some to trouble some very good juveniles, not least Winker Watson, who is our selection for this contest.
Winker Watson 2-1fav (9-1) Dwelt, held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, driven clear, won at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun beating Art Advisor (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Atheer Dubai (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Chased leaders for 4f, 11th of 20, 7l behind Henrythenavigator (9-1) at Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Bobs Surprise 9-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, hampered 4f out, switched right and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger, 7th of 20, 5l behind Henrythenavigator (9-1) at Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Carleton 66-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, effort, not much room, switched right over 1f out, stayed on one pace after, 6th of 11, 3l behind Winker Watson (9-1) at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Dark Angel (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 11th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Drawnfromthepast (9-3) at Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Dream Eater (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 20, 1l behind Drawnfromthepast (9-3) at Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Fat Boy (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 20, 1 1/2l behind Drawnfromthepast (9-3) at Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Gaspar Van Wittel (USA) 2-7fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, keen, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, soon clear, won at Chepstow 6f nov stk (4) gs in Jun beating Star of Rosanna (8-7) by 8l, 5 ran.
King's Icon (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, ran on gamely final furlong, won at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Alsadeek (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
River Proud (USA) 17-2 (9-0) Prominent on outer, ridden to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ridden out, impressive, won at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (3) gf in Jun beating Billion Dollar Kid (9-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just failed to take 2nd, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Winker Watson (9-1) at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Spitfire 85-40fav (9-2) Dwelt, switched left and headway to track leaders halfway, shaken up to lead 1f out, pushed clear, won at Yarmouth 6f nov med aut stk (5) gd in May beating Jebel Tara (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Swiss Franc 25-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, making headway when not clear run briefly over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, went 2nd final stride, 2nd of 20, 3/4l behind Henrythenavigator (9-1) at Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
