held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
held up in rear, never nearer
close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, ridden, edged left and led over 1f out, hung left and asserted towards finish
slowly into stride, soon close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader until 2f out, ridden and soon weakened
always in rear, eased final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
always in rear
APPALACHIAN TRAIL can take this at the expense of Dream Lodge and Khateeb. Ian Semple's charge proved slightly disappointing in this race last term but with a slightly larger field and the strong likelihood of early pace, we will chance that he can right that wrong this afternoon. Dream Lodge finished ahead of him on that occasion. A recent winner at Doncaster when unfancied for a conditions stakes, he couldn't be here in better form. Khateeb won well at Nottingham before he was predictably outclassed at Royal Ascot. It would be no surprise to see him asked to make the running. Charlie Cool makes a debut for Ruth Carr and had won in handicaps at Nad Al Sheba over the winter. Perks may need a bit more rain to be at his best. Supaseus has questions to answer after a Dubai flop. Orizaba takes a massive drop in grade having finished seventh in the St James's Palace Stakes. Ahmed Atjebi deputises for Frankie Dettori. Racketeer was beaten in listed company at Sandown though had destroyed a field in the Esher handicap at the course just a month earlier. The three-year-olds will probably be short odds in this contest but we will stick with experience this afternoon and side with Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail (IRE) 5-2 (9-1) Keen, tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Welsh Emperor (9-9) at Haydock 7f cond Stakes (3) sft.
Charlie Cool 5-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 7, 4l behind Alazeyab (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Dream Lodge (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right and led close home, won at Doncaster 1m stks (3) gs beating Perks (8-12) by ns, 5 ran.
Khateeb (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and no progress final 3f, 12th of 15, 12l behind Perfect Stride (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Listed hcp (1) gf in Jun.
Perks (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders in rear, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 5, ns behind Dream Lodge (8-9) at Doncaster 1m stks (3) gs.
Supaseus 22-1 (9-0) last of 9, well behind My Indy (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m 1f Grp3 stks (1) in Feb.
Courageous (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Raced keenly and led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 11l behind Regal Parade (9-2) at York 7f cond Stakes (3) gf in May.
Orizaba (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 13l behind Mastercraftsman (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Rosabee (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) 14th of 15, 8l behind Greenisland (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Racketeer (IRE) 11-10fav (8-12) Soon led, ridden and hung left inside final 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Border Patrol (9-3) at Sandown 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
