led, edged left off rail and headed 2f out, soon one pace, lost 2nd over 1f out, no chance with leading duo
held up in 5th, plugged on same pace final 2f, never involved
slowly into stride, soon tracking leading trio, effort on outside over 3f out, ridden and beaten inside final 2f
tracked leading pair, pushed along and slightly outpaced over 3f out, rallied on rail approaching final 2f, chased winner over 1f out, upsides and hung badly left inside final furlong, driven ahead close home
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, joined and carried badly left inside final furlong, headed close home
Nonrunner
The Rectifier won this as a three-year-old in 2010 but is the only one of the classic generation to triumph so far which doesn't bode well for the chances of COUPE DE VILLE. Richard Hannon's colt has to be the selection, however, on his fifth in the 2000 Guineas as he was far from disgraced in the French version subsequently and third in a Group 3 at Chantilly earlier this month. Highland Knight won a valuable handicap at Epsom at the start of the month but has something to find at the weights while it's a long time since the once-useful Mac Love got his head in front, though he wasn't beaten far in the Diomed Stakes last time. Thistle Bird may need this but is preferred to Loving Spirit of the others.
Highland Knight (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Made all, ridden along and edged left from 2f out, stayed on gamely, won at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd beating Mawaakef (8-10) by nk, 17 ran.
Loving Spirit 14-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway when not clear run on inside entering final 2f, kept on unde pressure inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 6th of 14, 2l behind Cruiser (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in May.
The Rectifier (USA) 50-1 (9-7) Edgy stalls, raced far side, led until approaching final 2f , weakened quickly, virtually pulled up final furlong, tailed off, 22nd of 23, 40l behind Eton Forever (9-8) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 105 (2) sft.
Thistle Bird 7-2 (8-11) Taken to post early, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 6l behind Principal Role (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gf in Oct.
Coupe de Ville (IRE) (8-10) 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Xanadou (8-10) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 3yo Grp 3 sft.
Mac Love 25-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, switched right and driven over 1f out, stayed inside final furlong, took 3rd last strides, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Side Glance (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m Grp 3 (1) gd.
