Septimus won this race last year and whilst a penalty makes life tougher, we will stick with him ahead of Royal And Regal. Team Ballydoyle have William Hogarth in the race to set the pace and race up for Septimus who comes here fit and fancied after a fairly recent success at the Curragh. The ground was much better when he won this last season from Balkan Knight, but it seems only a matter of time until he wins a Group One and he can land this Group Two on the way to that prize. Like the selection, Royal And Regal handles soft ground and should be a major player. Michael Jarvis has his horses in good form and he must be respected, although on a strict form line through Geordieland he has a bit to find with the selection. Yellowstone won well at the Knavesmire last time out and shouldn't mind conditions; he seems to have been sharpened up by the application of cheek pieces. Sagara hasn't exactly been a success story since joining the Blue army and he has something to prove now, as does Metaphoric at this level. Petara Bay, Bulwark and Carte Diamond are unlikely to prove up to this level, and so we return to Septimus to win once again.
Septimus (IRE) 1-2fav (10-0) Raced in 5th, ridden to go 2nd under 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well to draw clear inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Jun beating Mores Wells (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bulwark (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Held up in last 4, bumped on rails 6f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 21l behind Yeats (9-12) at Goodwood 2m Yorks Oaks (1) gf in Jul.
Carte Diamond (USA) 40-1 (9-0) Pushed along to lead for 1f, stayed handy, suddenly lost place from halfway, struggling over 3f out, 11th of 12, 21l behind Sixties Icon (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Metaphoric (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Started slowly, held up in rear, headway from 3f out, stayed on to lead over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Jul beating La Vecchia Scuola (8-5) by 2l, 14 ran.
Petara Bay (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 15l behind Duke Of Marmalade (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Royal And Regal (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, ridden and slightly outpaced over 1f out, rallied final furlong, close on leaders near finish, 3rd of 8, hd behind Finalmente (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Sagara (USA) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leading pair, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Yeats (9-12) at Goodwood 2m Yorks Oaks (1) gf in Jul.
Yellowstone (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, held on gamely close home, won at York 1m 6f lst hcp (1) hvy in Jul beating Gull Wing (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
William Hogarth (9-2) Led to over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 13, well behind Montmartre (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
