always in rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
in touch, smooth headway 2f out, led just inside final furlong, soon clear, eased near finish, comfortable
towards rear, pushed along 5f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed just inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
always in rear
towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd post, no chance with winner
Blue Bajan won this last year before a very close third to OPINION POLL in the Goodwood Cup where Aaim To Prosper and Chilberta King were behind. David O'Meara's veteran was subsequently a long way behind Opinion Poll in the Lonsdale Cup at York and the winner, twice runner-up to Fame And Glory at Ascot including in the Gold Cup, can take this before heading back to the Royal fixture. He's been in fine form in Dubai over the winter and is better class than these at his best. Godolphin are also represented by Ley Hunter, a classy stayer in France but yet to be tested on ground as fast as this. Ibicenco has yet to prove he stays the trip and has done all of his running on ground with plenty of give while York fourth Times Up was around three lengths behind the selection in a Group 3 at Ascot.
Ley Hunter (USA) 7-2fav (9-2) 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kasbah Bliss (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Mar beating Joshua Tree (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 28-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, closed on leader over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Opinion Poll (9-7) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Askar Tau (FR) 66-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, headway over 4f out, tracked leading trio 3f out, went 3rd on inside over 2f out, effort when hung right over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 9l behind Fame And Glory (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, headway 2f out, soon ridden, no impression 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 12l behind Red Cadeaux (9-0) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Chiberta King 33-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, headed 12f out, tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 39l behind Fame And Glory (9-0) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Old Hundred (IRE) 10-3 (9-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, switched left over 2f out, soon smooth headway, led on bit 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, kept on under pressure and edged right, held on well towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr beating Lexington Bay (9-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Times Up 9-2 (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Red Cadeaux (9-0) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Zuider Zee (GER) 8-1 (9-0) Close up, outpaced 4f out, soon switched right, headway entering final furlong, ran on to go 2nd post, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Electrolyser (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gs in Apr.
Ibicenco (GER) 9-5fav (8-12) Settled towards rear, under pressure over 4f out, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 6, 8l behind Hawaafez (8-7) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gs.
