tracked leader, ridden and every chance entrance final 2f, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, lost 2nd toward finish
held up, mid-division
pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out
always in rear
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
Mike De Kock has proved himself over here in no uncertain terms and he can have another winning raid with IMBONGI, who should be given most to do by Dream Eater. The selection was sixth, beaten less than two lengths in Sha Tin's Champions Mile last time out a couple of months ago. He has largely kept Group 1 and Group 2 company in recent times and drops back in grade here, which should make things less competitive for him. Good ground suits and there is perhaps a little concern about it being quicker than that, but he should still have the class to score. Dream Eater was well held by Paco Boy in the Queen Anne but he is a classy sort who will be much more competitive in this sphere and will not be far away. Winker Watson has failed to convince when trained on this year and in spite of conditions and trip being ideal he has a bit to prove. Court Masterpiece would have a good chance if able to recapture some of his old form and although he ran nicely in his comeback from a two year lay-off he will need to show more to win this. Al Qasi remains competitive at this level but does tend to find winning difficult and Imbongi is the one to be on here.
Express Wish 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra and weakened 1 1/2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Mad About You (8-11) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 gd in Apr.
Al Qasi (IRE) 11-10fav (9-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 5th 2f out, not clear run 1 1/2f out, progress from 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Almass (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f Listed stks sft in Nov.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Hampered at start; soon ridden in rear; never dangerous, 11th of 12, 23l behind Big City Man (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 6f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar.
Court Masterpiece 12-1 (9-2) Held up behind, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Regal Parade (9-2) at York 7f cond Stakes (3) gf in May.
Dream Eater (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Disputing 2nd, behind clear leader, closed up from 3f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf.
Imbongi (SAF) (9-0) 6th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Sight Winner (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m Grp 1 gd in Apr.
Vitznau (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, 5th straight effort 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, never reached leaders, weakened final 100 yards, 5th of 8, 3l behind Mac Love (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m stks (1) gd.
Winker Watson 33-1 (9-0) Reared start, soon tracked leaders on outer, effort 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, last of 11, 30l behind Virtual (9-0) at Newbury 1m stks (1) sft in May.
Huntdown (USA) 15-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Intense Focus (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct.
