held up towards rear, troubled passage from over 2f out, hanging right, kept on to take moderate 4th 1f out
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leading pair well over 1f out, hung right under pressure, no impression over 1f out
led after 1f, strong pace, headed 2f out, soon weakened and eased
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, pushed along on inside over 3f out, hung right after, never a factor
held up in 6th, pushed along entering straight, no chance final 2f
chased clear leading pair, ridden and closed well over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
held up in 7th, headway to chase winner inside final 2f, quickened and driven to challenge 1f out, kept on well, readily held final 100 yards
held up in 5th on inside, eased left travelling well 3f out, quickened to lead 2f out, ridden and looked pressed 1f out, quickened again to draw away final 100 yards
led 1f, pressed leader until 3f out, weakened 2f out
SEA THE STARS looks certain to have his optimum conditions and is preferred to Conduit and Cima De Triomphe whilst Rip Van Winkle should appreciate the drop back in trip. John Oxx's Derby winner controversially missed the Irish Derby but this race can ably fill the void and this grand stamp of a horse is fancied to vanquish his elders. He could be called the winner some way out at Epsom despite racing keenly in the early stages of the race and looks out of the top drawer. He will need to be in order to land a good renewal of this prize as Conduit and Cima De Triomphe are top class whilst Johnny Murtagh has made no secret of his regard for Rip Van Winkle; he is unable to partner the O'Brien colt today which could be detrimental to his chances. That is in no way meant to disparage the abilities of Jimmy Fortune but the colt's two performances at Newmarket in the Dewhurst and Guineas suggest that he isn't an easy ride and he could take a bit of knowing. On the flipside, he ran well in the Derby and this could prove to be his optimum trip. Conduit narrowly failed to concede 7lbs to Luca Cumani's challenger in a thrilling renewal of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes so will be fancied by many to reverse the nose deficit. That performance laid to rest any doubts about the Leger winner's ability to cope with the shorter trip and he'll be a tough nut to crack now that he's got a run under his belt. Cima De Triomphe delighted his connections with that performance on debut for the yard but they have it in the back of their mind that he could be better over twelve furlongs. He, too, is entitled to come on for his reappearance but obviously has it all to do to confirm the form on today's terms. Steele Tango runs this track well but would need at least one of the principals to underperform in order to make the frame whilst Racing Post Trophy second Jukebox Jury has plenty to prove which only leaves Twice Over as the other runner of note. He's an admirable sort but will need to find a weaker race than this if he's to score at the highest level. This race should go to either Conduit or Sea The Stars and the younger horse gets the vote.
Cima De Triomphe (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, hard ridden over 2f out, driven and headway over 1f out, chased leaders final furlong, stayed on strongly under pressure to lead on line, won at Sandown 1m 2f stks (1) gd in May beating Conduit (9-7) by ns, 12 ran.
Conduit (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Took keen hold early, tracked leader for 1f, settled 4th, headway to chase leader and edged right inside final furlong, driven to lead final 100 yards, headed on line, 2nd of 12, ns behind Cima De Triomphe (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f stks (1) gd in May.
Lang Shining (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Held up, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 17l behind Yamal (9-1) at York 1m (1) gd in May.
Steele Tango (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Held up in 5th, pushed along and struggling over 3f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 12l behind Bronze Cannon (9-3) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Twice Over 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on under pressure, no extra when headed final 100 yards and lost 2 places final strides, 4th of 8, 1l behind Vision D'etat (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Jukebox Jury (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) last of 7, 8l behind Golden Century (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 1f 3yo Grp 3 gd in Jun.
Malibu Bay (USA) (9-2) 16th of 17, 31l behind Le Havre (9-2) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 2f stk gs in Jun.
Rip Van Winkle (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, 7th straight, steady headway over 2f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, headway into 3rd and edged left from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 4th near finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f stks (1) gd in Jun.
Sea The Stars (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Took keen hold early, settled in 4th, 4th straight, tracked leaders in 3rd travelling well 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, produced to lead 1f out, soon in command and stayed on strongly, won at Epsom Downs 1m 4f stks (1) gd in Jun beating Fame And Glory (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Set Sail (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Pushed along and soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened rapidly and soon eased, last of 10, 42l behind Mastercraftsman (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
