in rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon switched left, effort 1f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on same pace
in touch, headway to chase leader 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
raced slightly away from main group, led until ridden halfway, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, headway to chase winner just inside final furlong, stayed on
chased leader until led halfway, ridden and headed 1f out, soon weakened
After a fine run over this trip on his belated reappearance at Ascot, Gramercy did even better next time over an extra furlong at the Berkshire course. Many will expect Michael Bell's four-year-old to go one better today but the continuing poor form of his stable is a major concern and he faces no easy task against ROYAL ROCK off level weights. Chris Wall's sprinter was returning from a lengthy lay-off when finishing behind Iver Bridge Lad in this 12 months ago but has been holding his own in better company this year and looks primed for a return to the winner's circle. Imperial Guest has solid form in handicaps and should make his presence felt again, while Clive Brittain's filly Masaya has been placed in 7f Listed races this season and can't be ignored.
Gramercy (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, effort 1f out, ridden and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Smarty Socks (9-0) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd.
Imperial Guest 8-1 (9-2) Raced stands side tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on towards finish, 5th of 15, 3l behind Captain Ramius (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gd in Aug.
Royal Rock 12-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Swiss Dream (8-6) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Aug.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, led halfway, headed over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Paradise Spectre (9-0) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Bathwick Bear (IRE) 18-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, soon every chance, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Mister Manannan (8-9) at Leicester 5f cond Stakes (4) gf.
Masaya 66-1 (8-10) Took keen hold set steady pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 18l behind Timepiece (9-5) at Newmarket 1m flls Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Iver Bridge Lad 25-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, hard ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 7th of 19, 4l behind Prohibit (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
