The Great Voltigeur has proved a key trial to the St.Leger in recent years with four of the last seven winners going forward to classic success in September. Patkai has progressed through the handicap ranks looking every inch a stayer in the process but question marks remain as to whether he has the class to make his mark at the top level. We will oppose him today on the grounds that he won a very average Queen's Vase impressively but faces a much sterner test today in against the likes of the Lingfield Derby Trial winner Alessandro Volta, who gets the nod. The Ballydoyle representative ran an eye-catching race in the Epsom Derby when reportedly fancied in some shrewd quarters. Held up out the back, he didn't appear to handle the gradient around Tattenham Corner before doing all his best work in the closing stages. That promise was brought forward to the Irish equivalent where he was the culprit of the mayhem that decended on the Kildare venue, looking the likely winner two furlongs from home before drifting alarmingly into the centre of the track and subsequently being demoted. The farcical pace that was set in the Grand Prix De Paris was all against him and today he finally gets the chance to show that he is a horse whose strength is stamina as clearly evident at Epsom. Like a lot of his sire's progeny he has his quirks but Alessandro Volta can silence his doubters. Fourth in the Queen's Vase was Tiffany Diamond, who would nearer to the bottom than the top of the long list of stars at Ballydoyle, and that puts the form of the Ascot contest into perspective. Top Lock's connections are entering the unknown where his stamina is concerned. He was last seen in the German Derby, where he lost his position at the top of the straight before staying on once again. He is a horse of some potential but it would be surprising if he had the class to land this. The expensively-purchased Meydan City takes a huge step up in trip but is gradually progressing. He soundly beat an exposed 98-rated rival last time but the step up in trip means he's something of an unknown quantity here.
Alessandro Volta (9-2) Held up, effort 2f out, one pace, 6th of 13, 8l behind Montmartre (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Bashkirov (9-2) Prominent, disputed lead over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 12l behind Montmartre (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Centennial (IRE) (9-2) Tracked leaders, one pace, 8th of 13, 12l behind Montmartre (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Hindu Kush (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Led, pushed along before halfway, headed 4f out, soon no impression, 10th of 11, 26l behind Frozen Fire (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Meydan City (USA) 4-5fav (9-0) Dwelt, soon prominent, tracked leader over 7f out, led on bit over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo stk (3) gs beating Siberian Tiger (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Patkai (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Dwelt, steady headway 5f out, quickened up inside final 2f, soon led, drew clear and in full control final furlong, won at Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) frm in Jun beating Amerigo (9-1) by 7l, 12 ran.
Scintillo 11-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 11l behind Conduit (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Top Lock (9-2) Always prominent, disputed 3rd halfway, 6th straight, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd last strides, 3rd of 16, 0.0000 behind Kamsin (9-2) at Hamburg 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
