keen tracked leaders, led over 3f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortable
held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened and eased final furlong
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ran in snatches, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, nearest finish
soon led, joined over 4f out, headed over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, joined leader over 4f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on one pace and lost 2nd near finish
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Andrew Balding has won this three times in the past six years including with today's entry Chiberta King in 2010. Now a nine-year-old, he also won the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Ascot but his three runs last season were very disappointing. Aramist is in superb form having won with authority at Hamiliton though he likes a bit of cut in the ground. Elidor returned from Dubai with a very good run over a trip too short at Thirsk but was a long way behind Maid In Rio when the latter gained her fifth victory in a short spell at Ascot in July. The latter has been unable to repeat those heroics and could now be in the grip of the handicapper. Castilo Del Diablo has been confined to racing on Polytrack since 2013 but stays the trip and is 8lb lower than his last winning mark. NORAB reappeared after a break to gain an easy victory at Chelmsford for which he was penalised 8lb. He didn't last out two miles at Ripon but this is his trip and he can return to winning ways.
Elidor 11-4fav (9-10) Keen, close up, ridden and every chance
Maid In Rio (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Pinzolo (9-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol.
Barbican 16-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, held up in 6th, headway travelling well when not clear run over 1f out until switched right inside final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Bishop Roko (9-3) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul '13.
Aramist (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, pushed along over 5f out, soon reminders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) sft beating Scrapper Smith (8-0) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Norab (GER) 3-1fav (9-4) Led 6f, tracked leader, challenged 4f out, led again 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra, 4th of 9, 8l behind Trip To Paris (9-6) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Apr.
Chiberta King 8-1 (10-0) Led, pushed along and joined 5f out, ridden over 3f out, soon headed, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 6, 21l behind Uramazin (9-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Resiliency (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 10l behind Marzocco (8-12) at Chelmsford City 2m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Mar.
Castilo Del Diablo (IRE) 4-1fav (9-12) Steadied start, held up, switched left and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Ridgeway Storm (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Arc Lighter (USA) 5-4fav (9-7) Held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 2f out, went 2nd and edging left over 1f out, pressing winner when hung left inside final furlong, outbattled towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Croquembouche (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
