close up, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, brief effort on outside over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch on outside, weakened 4f out, heavily eased final 2f
in touch, ridden when not clear run over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, no impression final furlong
close up, hard ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression
led to over 3f out, weakened rapidly over 2f out
held up in rear, switched right to outer 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
in touch, driven and no response over 3f out, weakened quickly
took keen hold, tracked leaders on inner, switched right 2f out, driven to chase leader inside final furlong, ran on under pressure to lead near finish
held up in rear, headway and switched right to wide outside inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong, nearest at finish
slow into stride, held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
pressed leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up in touch, effort, hung right and one pace inside final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure until not pace of winner and headed near finish
The second of feature races on the card, one that is named in honour of the monarch who established Ascot as a racing venue, can go to Six Perfections, with Soviet Song, Salselon and Norse Dancer seen as her main dangers. The Pascal Bary-trained selection was unluckily beaten in both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas last season but proved herself top-class by then landing the Jacques le Marois and the Breeders' Cup Mile. She was a touch disappointing when beaten on her seasonal return, but that was over nine furlongs and the return to a mile should suit her better today. Blessed with a fine turn of foot and a good attitude towards racing, the daughter of Celtic Swing looks a worthy favourite for a race that was, incidentally, first run in 1834. Soviet Song, who finished two-and-three-quarter lengths behind the selection when fourth in last season's 1,000 Guineas, bounced back to form this season when running away with a Group 2 race at The Curragh last time. She is said to be blooming now and, if at her best, looks set to run well, although she would probably not want the going to be too firm. Turning to the others. Arakan continues to progress but still has six or seven pounds to find on the principals here on official ratings, including Just James, who gave him six pounds and a neck beating in Newmarket's Group 3 Challenge Stakes last season. Alkaadhem also continues to progress but, despite having scored at Listed level last time, still has a bit to prove in this company, while Tillerman has finished second in each of the last two runnings of this race, although he was subsequently disqualified last year, but his stable has been going through a very quiet time of late. Much as the Lockinge winner Russian Rhythm's late defection is a disappointment, the form of that excellent contest is represented by the runner-up, Salselon, third Norse Dancer, fourth Firebreak, fifth Hurricane Alan, seventh Checkit, and eighth Refuse To Bend. The chances are that, once more, there will not be too much between many of these but recent Italian import Salselon and Norse Dancer could well come out on top again. Further international flavour is added to this race by the presence of Hong Kong raider, Bowman's Crossing, and Germany's Martillo, but we feel that they will find others too strong. Chief among these, for us, is the remarkable Six Perfections, and we take her to land this for France.
