chased leaders on outside, outpaced over 5f out, no impression after, well beaten final 2f
led, ridden 3 lengths clear 4f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd over 8f out until over 5f out, ridden and struggling from 3f out, well beaten inside final 2f
held up, closed from over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed close home
steadied start, held up in rear, effort over 2f out, edged left well over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, unable to get on terms
always handy, ridden over 3f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, led close home
Juan Elcano finished fifth in the 2000 Guineas but didn’t run up to that form over this longer trip in the Hampton Court at Ascot. He looks vulnerable again given his style of running. Cormorant beat Hampton Court winner and Derby seventh Russian Emperor in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown last month so is much respected while Al Madhar was always holding the odds-on Encipher at Newbury last month and remains unbeaten. Thunderous may have just needed the run when beaten in Listed company at Newmarket but HIGHEST GROUND was so impressive when overturning the useful Waldkonig at Haydock and could be anything.
Al Madhar (FR) 15-8 (9-9) Coltish in paddock, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Newbury 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Jun beating Encipher (9-9) by nk, 7 ran.
Cormorant (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Pushed along to lead early and made all, pushed along entering straight, ridden 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun beating Russian Emperor (9-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Encipher 4-5fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, smooth headway on outside over 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, outbattled towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Al Madhar (9-9) at Newbury 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Jun.
Highest Ground (IRE) 13-8 (9-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along to challenge and led over 2f out, stayed on well and asserted inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Jun beating Waldkonig (9-8) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Juan Elcano 7-2 (9-0) Led 2f, tracked leader until led again inside final 3f, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Russian Emperor (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Thunderous (IRE) 13-8 (9-0) Close up, headway to track winner 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Volkan Star (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.