held up last, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden and good headway from over 2f out, chased leaders 1f out, kept on well final furlong
chased leader, ridden 3f out, challenged and led over 1f out, headed and squeezed up inside final furlong, not recover
prominent, ridden over 2f out, headway and chased leaders over 1f out, led and drifted right inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no extra
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
soon led, quickened over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Dunelight should be respected if able to gain an easy lead but there could be competition up front and so the vote goes to Ordnance Row ahead of Dubai's Touch and Pride Of Nation. The selection comes here chasing the hat-trick and Richard Hannon's son of Mark Of Esteem may be capable of overcoming a 5lb rise in the weights for his recent win in a valuable Sandown handicap. Olympian Odyssey warrants respect as Godolphin have won this race for the past two years, whilst Caldra returns from a long absence, and whilst he may just need the run, he is to be respected nonetheless. Final Verse likes it quick so wouldn't want the heavens to open, in contrast to Pride Of Nation who is at his best with plenty of cut under-foot. Dubai's Touch showed a great attitude last time out at Goodwood and getting the three-year-old allowance (along with Caldra and Thousand Words) he should play a hand in the finish. Humungous and Royal Hunt Cup winner Royal Oath are just two more dangers for the list, so with some trepidation, we will return to Ordnance Row to win again.
Final Verse 4-1 (8-9) Held up, improved from over 2f out, edged right from over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Newmarket 1m stk (2) gf beating Metropolitan Man (8-9) by 2l, 5 ran.
Olympian Odyssey (9-4) Held up going well, effort when impeded over 1f out, ran on. 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Seihali (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Ordnance Row 11-1 (9-5) In touch, effort 2f out, led approaching final furlong, driven out, won at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gs in Jul beating Colorado Rapid (8-3) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Pride of Nation (IRE) 11-4fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well and edged right inside final furlong, won at York 1m stk (3) hvy in Jul beating Shumookh (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Secret World (IRE) 3-1 (8-9) Always behind, last of 6, 29l behind Pride of Nation (8-9) at York 1m stk (3) hvy in Jul.
Caldra (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, in command over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct beating Kid Mambo (9-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Thousand Words 16-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, not clear run, steadily switched left from 2f out, effort on outside, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 2l behind Tariq (8-9) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Dark Islander (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear on inside, not clear run from over 2f out until over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Tariq (8-9) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Dunelight (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Led, pushed 2 lengths clear over 1f out, driven, headed final 100 yards, no impression, lost 2nd final 75 yards, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Tariq (8-9) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Humungous (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Awkward leaving stalls, towards rear, headway 3f out, forced through gap to go 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 19, 3l behind Third Set (8-4) at Goodwood 1m hcap (2) gf.
Royal Oath (USA) 11-2 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, keeping on one pace under pressure when not clear run briefly over 1f out, 8th of 13, 4l behind Tariq (8-9) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Dubai's Touch 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, immediately hard pressed, battled on gamely, just held on, won at Goodwood 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gf beating Traffic Guard (9-0) by a shd, 9 ran.
