raced wide, held up in last trio, driven and some headway on outside over 2f out, one pace and no impression final 2f
held up in last pair, driven along over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leading trio, smooth headway over 3f out, soon 2nd, led over 2f out, driven and pressed from over 1f out, narrowly headed 1f out, stayed upsides, edged right inside final furlong, no extra and held towards finish
held up in 6th on outside, headway to track leader inside final 2f, ridden to challenge over 1f out, driven to lead narrowly 1f out, soon leant on, edged left and on top towards fiish
took keen hold in 5th on inside, pushed along 3f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo
soon traced leader, ridden inside final 3f, soon lost 2nd and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, chased leader until inside final 2f, no chance with leading pair over 1f out, weakened to 4th inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along and outpaced 6f out, no chance after
pulled hard in last trio, weakened 3f out, soon behind, tailed off
OPINION POLL took this a year ago and looks primed for a repeat. The Godolphin colt returned from a spell in Dubai to finish runner-up in the Gold Cup at Ascot before beating Lost In The Moment and Blue Bajan with Bergo not far behind in a thrilling finish to the Goodwood Cup. Frankie will ensure his stamina is brought into effect as Harris Tweed would be a major threat if staying the trip. William Haggas' charge has been in brilliant form this year and was being eased down a long way from home when successful on his only start over 1m6f on soft ground at Newmarket. Duncan landed the Yorkshire Cup here in May from Blue Bajan and wasn't disgraced in the Gold Cup. He won't mind soft ground nor will seven-times winner Allied Powers while the only three-year-old in the line-up, Highland Castle, looked a stayer in the making behind Namibian in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Dandino was well beaten in the St Leger on his only start beyond 1m4f but remains a classy performer who landed the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in April.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched left to outside inside final 2f, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, held when outpaced to 3rd close home, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Opinion Poll (9-7) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Dandino (9-6) 7th of 10, 8l behind Danedream (8-5) at Hoppegarten(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Duncan 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, went 3rd 9f out, tracked leader 6f out, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed chasing leaders until weakened and lost places inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 11l behind Fame And Glory (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 9-2fav (9-7) Mid-division on inside, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd and edged right inside final 2f, led over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, held on last strides, won at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul beating Lost In The Moment (9-7) by hd, 15 ran.
Allied Powers (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) 5th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Watar (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in Jul.
Bergo (GER) 22-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, chased clear leader 3f out, closed over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Opinion Poll (9-7) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Chiberta King 12-1 (9-7) Close up in 5th, effort on inside well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 15, 7l behind Opinion Poll (9-7) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Harris Tweed 9-2 (9-0) Led, hung left off rail approaching final furlong, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on, headed near line, 2nd of 10, hd behind Drunken Sailor (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Elyaadi 7-4fav (10-1) Settled towards rear, smooth headway approaching straight, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression on winner in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind End Of The Affair (9-7) at Dundalk 2m hcap pol in Jul.
Highland Castle 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Namibian (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
