quickly away, made all on far rail, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed throughout final furlong, stayed on gamely
close 3rd out wide, ridden and stayed on throughout final furlong, not quite pace to challenge
raced keenly, held up in last pair, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, no real headway
tracked leaders on far rail, ridden inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, behind and struggling final furlong
chased winner throughout, strong challenge throughout final furlong, just held
wore hood to post, held up in last pair, some headway out wide 2f out, never going pace to get involved
Regal Reality was only third behind Chindit at Haydock latest but is 3lb better off. However, the eight-year-old was also behind MIGHTY ULYSSES when the latter dead-heated at Salisbury earlier. Oisin Murphy’s mount didn’t really enjoy good to soft going when tried in this grade at Ascot in July and will have conditions to suit today. He was a neck behind Maljoom in last year’s St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot but William Haggas’ charge hasn’t run since. Epictetus gets 4lb and upwards from the older horses and is certainly no mug but may find the ground quicker than ideal. Mutasaabeq won this last year and was also successful over track and trip in May but does have a penalty to carry.
Mutasaabeq 7-1 (9-8) Pressed leader, came stands side turning in, pushed along 2f out, gradually faded, eased inside last, 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Kinross (9-8) at York 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Chindit (IRE) 7-2 (9-11) Raced keenly tracking leader out wide, pushed along to lead entering final furlong, ran on well and always doing enough, won at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) sft in Sep beating Knight (9-2) by hd, 8 ran.
Maljoom (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Dwelt in rear, not clear run over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly close home, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 1/2l behind Coroebus (9-2) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Mighty Ulysses 3-1 (9-5) Led early, headed and raced in 2nd after just over a furlong, strongly pressed new leader from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led narrowly over 110 yards out, kept on, joined on line, won at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Embesto (8-13), 5 ran.
Regal Reality 15-2 (9-8) In touch, shaken up over 3f out, pushed along and switched right around rivals 2f out, went third inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Chindit (9-5) at Haydock 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Epictetus (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Led early, prominent, lost place over 2f out, no impression after, 5th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Angel Bleu (9-6) at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug.
