keen early, soon steadied towards rear, headway under pressure inside final 2f, kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, not troubled winner
tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression, lost 2 places well inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, no headway, well beaten over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, led just over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, ran on well
mid-division, outpaced 3f out, well beaten final 2f
held up in rear, ridden on stands side rail 2f out, no headway
led, ridden and headed just over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, raced keenly, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
KIRKLEES impressed last time out and is taken to see off a concerted effort from Allied Powers, Curtain Call and Tazeez. The race that the selection won at Sandown last time was no great shakes; however he won with some authority and is the one to beat on the official ratings here. He should be fine on the ground and from a good draw he could provide Frankie Dettori with his yet another York winner for the stable that won this race in 2007 with Stage Gift. The sole three-year-old in the race Monitor Closely ran well in defeat last time at Ascot and punters should pay him close attention receiving plenty of weight, although he shapes as if ready for a mile and a half. Tazeez was progressive in handicaps before taking a Group Three at Newmarket in April; his recent run in the Prince Of Wales's at Ascot reads very well in the context of this race. Smokey Oakey is likely to be outclassed, along with Macorville and Kings Gambit. Halicarnassus has plenty to find with the selection on the Sandown run, and he is yet to shed his bridesmaid tag, so a bigger threat should be Curtain Call. He was fourth in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud last time out and this former Jessica Harrington inmate would become more interesting if the rain does fall. Allied Powers is progressive but looks up against it as we side with Kirklees to take home the pot.
Allied Powers (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, driven on outer 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 5l behind Cima De Triomphe (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f stks (1) gd in May.
Curtain Call (FR) 11-1 (9-2) 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Spanish Moon (9-2) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 4f stk in Jun.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, close up on inside, pushed along 4f out, plugged on inside final furlong, no chance, 5th of 7, 7l behind Kirklees (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd.
Kings Gambit (SAF) 33-1 (9-0) Never better than mid-division, last of 15, 26l behind Eastern Anthem (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Kirklees (IRE) 85-40fav (9-5) Took keen hold, led 1f, tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and drew clear over 1f out and stayed on strongly (hand timed), won at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd beating Covert Ambition (9-5) by 4l, 7 ran.
Macorville (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, soon prominent, pushed along 6f out, weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up, last of 33, well behind Leg Spinner (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct '07.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 4l behind Crime Scene (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gs.
Tazeez (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Vision D'etat (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Monitor Closely (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and unable to quicken when not much room over 1f out, one pace and no impression on front pair after, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Glass Harmonium (9-2) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
