behind, ridden well over 2f out, soon headway, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up, stumbled soon after start, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
with leader, no extra final furlong
held up, stayed on from over 1f out
in touch, weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, no extra final furlong
mid-division, outpaced halfway, stayed on final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
Tax Free, Equiano and Knot In Wood were the first three home in the Abernant and merit respect but it could be worth siding with SIR GERRY depending upon how the race is priced up. Equiano has yet to convince that he's as effective over six as he is at five despite his trainer's claims and it was a little disappointing that he couldn't get the better of Tax Free at Newmarket as he escaped a penalty for his Group 1 win. It paid to race up with the pace that day as nothing else got into the race and they may be worth taking on. Knot In Wood has proved himself in this grade now but still doesn't appeal as a likely winner and we're happy to take King's Apostle on under a penalty although he will appreciate the return to this trip. Arganil has to prove his effectiveness at this longer trip and Utmost Respect will need plenty of rain to fall if he's to be competitive. Edge Closer is one we'd consider as he missed the break at Newmarket and is better than the bare form suggests; he was short in the market that day and may be sent off at a bigger price than he deserves as a result of that run. Strike The Deal doesn't have a great deal to find but his strike rate is offputting and of more interest is Hitchens who has bundles of ability but has been difficult to keep right; he won very easily on debut for a new yard and could yet make his mark in this company. Sir Gerry has already won on the Knavesmire and that helps to swing the vote his way whilst there have been more encouraging signs emanating from the Fanshawe yard following a season that didn't quite live up to expectations. Sir Gerry was placed four times in Group races last season and wasn't beaten more than two lengths over this trip with the exception of the July Cup where he doesn't appear to act on the track. He could well bridge that gap now that he's got another year on his back and land his second Group 2 over this course and distance.
King's Apostle (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Behind, switched left from over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 16, 6l behind Amour Propre (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Arganil (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Raced wide, chased leading pair, ridden to chase leader 1f out, driven to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 5f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar beating Judd Street (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Captain Gerrard (IRE) (9-10) Led to halfway, fading when impeded and dropped back, 15th of 17, 11l behind Marchand D'or (9-10) at Longchamp(FR) 5f stks gs in Oct.
Dohasa (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway in 5th 1 1/2f out, ridden into 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Mad About You (8-11) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 gd in Apr.
Duff (IRE) 11-10fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden clear approaching final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Matsunosuke (9-0) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.
Edge Closer 7-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up, effort over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 7th of 12, 3l behind Tax Free (9-4) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Equiano (FR) 3-1fav (9-4) Led, headed halfway, remained with winner, still every chance entering final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Tax Free (9-4) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Hatta Fort 8-1 (9-10) In rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 12, 4l behind Tax Free (9-4) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Hitchens (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, quickened to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Thirsk 6f stks (3) fm in Apr beating Knot In Wood (9-7) by 3l, 4 ran.
Intrepid Jack 15-2 (9-2) Settled rear; last 500m out; ran on same pace, 7th of 12, 6l behind J J The Jet Plane (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 6f Grp 3 gd in Feb.
Knot In Wood (IRE) 11-10fav (9-7) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Hitchens (9-0) at Thirsk 6f stks (3) fm in Apr.
Rock Of Rochelle (USA) (9-0) last of 2, 2l behind Chantilly Tiffany (8-11) at Baden-Baden(GER) 7f Grp 3 gd in Oct.
Sir Gerry (USA) 7-2fav (9-0) In touch, headway and effort when hung left over 1f out, not reached leaders, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Conquest (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Strike The Deal (USA) 13-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and edged left from over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Amour Propre (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Tax Free (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Keen, with leader, led narrowly halfway, ridden out, won at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr beating Equiano (9-4) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Utmost Respect (8-13) won at Maisons-laffitte(FR) 6f stk in Nov beating Tiza (8-13) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
