held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led early, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
reared start, held up, ridden, headway over 3f out, hung left 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
soon led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, lost place 7f out, soon behind
held up, ridden, headway over 3f out, chased winner final furlong, stayed on
soon prominent, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place when not much room over 4f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, lost place over 5f out, soon behind
Nonrunner
From a shortlist of Coat Of Honour, Blue Monday, Notable Guest, Flamboyant Lad and Strong Hand, we will side with Flamboyant Lad. Flamboyant Lad has a good profile for this race being the type that Barry Hills, who is in form, does well with. Judged on the way he won at Newbury last time, he looks set to continue progressing and can run big race today. Blue Monday has a fairly similar profile and proved his wellbeing by landing the Zetland Gold Cup last time, so he comes into the reckoning, while the nicely bred Notable Guest has had the softly-softly approach applied by Sir Michael Stoute and, with his stable in good form, grant him all due respect. The former Sir Mark Prescott-trained Coat Of Honour will have been aimed at this race, we feel, and the Swinton Hurdle winner is respected. From the Mick Easterby stable, Strong Hand comes into this race in very good heart and a win for her is no forlorn hope, while Vaughan, who showed very much improved form last time, and Ireland's Saintly Rachel, are others that could go well. Overall, though, we like the profile of Flamboyant Lad, who can land the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.
Coat of Honour (USA) 4-5fav (9-9) Settled 3rd, took closer order 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well to draw clear inside final furlong, won at Down Royal 1m 5f stk frm in Sept beating Lord Admiral (9-5) by 4l, 4 ran.
Blue Monday 7-2fav (9-0) Dwelt, driven to lead after 1f, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, held on, won at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May beating Divine Gift (8-10) by a nk, 16 ran.
Notable Guest (USA) 15-8fav (8-5) Pulled hard, always prominent, led over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Apr beating Woodcracker (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Grampian 5-1 (10-0) Held up, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in May beating Jeepstar (9-4) by 2l, 6 ran.
Vaughan 13-2 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, driven and every chance inside final furlong, led final stride, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in May beating Skylarker (8-5) by a hd, 13 ran.
Flamboyant Lad 2-1fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, led just inside final 2f, in command over 1f out, ridden final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (2) frm in May beating Sergeant Cecil (9-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Hambleden 4-1co-fav (8-10) Held up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Swift Tango (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (A) sft in Aug.
Royal Cavalier 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 5, 10l behind Sabre d'Argent (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk (3) gf.
Crow Wood 9-2fav (8-10) Held up in touch, steady headway to lead over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (2) gd beating Balkan Knight (9-3) by 2l, 20 ran.
Nordwind (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 6th of 11, 3l behind Far Pavilions (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (3) gd in May.
Ringsider (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 13, 1l behind High Action (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in May.
Rehearsal 16-1 (9-2) Held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 21l behind Into The Dark (9-7) at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp (1) gd in Sept.
Saintly Rachel (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Mid-division, mainly 7th, 6th over 2f out, ridden and kept on well into 3rd without reaching leaders final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Right Key (8-10) at Cork 1m 4f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf.
Court of Appeal 33-1 (8-12) Very slowly away, well behind, never a factor, last of 11, 32l behind Far Pavilions (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (3) gd in May.
Trust Rule 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon lost place, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Cruise Director (8-5) at York 1m 4f hcp (3) sft in May.
Strong Hand 4-1fav (9-7) In touch, going well when led 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well to go clear inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gd beating Opening Ceremony (9-1) by 4l, 13 ran.
Pagan Dance (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Started slowly, stayed on under pressure from rear final 2f, never dangerous, 8th of 20, 9l behind Crow Wood (8-10) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (2) gd.
Border Castle 7-4fav (8-10) Close up, pushed along 3f out, hard ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, soon one pace and no impression, 7th of 13, 3l behind Destination Dubai (8-10) at Ascot 1m 2f stk (C1) gf in Sept.
Maraakeb (FR) 8-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden, led briefly over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Solo Flight (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in May.
True Companion 8-1 (9-8) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Grampian (10-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
