steadeid start, held up in 6th, not clear run on inside and switched left 2f out, held in pocket and not much room soon after, ridden and no impression when in the clear final furlong
tracked leader until halfway, chased leading pair, pushed along and unable to quicken and lost 3rd over 2f out, kept on again in closing stages, never finding enough pace to threaten
steadied start, took keen hold and held up in last pair, pushed along and unable to quicken as pace lifted over 2f out, soon beaten, rider dropped whip well over 1f out
tracked leading pair, 2nd halfway, led travelling well approaching final 2f, ridden over 1f out, just held on close home, all out
raced keenly, led until pushed along and headed approaching final 2f, weakened over 1f out
held up in last trio, pushed along and unable to quicken as pace lifted over 2f out, no impression when ridden and edged right entering final furlong
steadied and switched right start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on into never nearer 4th final 100 yards
held up in 5th, headway tracking leaders over 2f out, soon switched left and edging right, 3rd over 1f out, squeezed through into 2nd inside final furlong, strong challenge close home, just failed to get up
took keen hold, tracking leading trio, headway on outside halfway, challenged in 2nd and every chance 2f out, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, outpaced into 3rd inside final furlong
It's a pity that injury has ruled out US superstar California Chrome but this is still a high-class contest. No French raider has won this in five years but Ectot is worth a second look. He is a Group 1 winner and was a leading fancy for last year's Arc only to ruin his chance by pulling too hard. He likes to dominate, however, and may struggle to grab the lead from a wide draw. Criterion won a big prize in his native Australia in April and was then third in the QE II Cup at Sha Tin. He shouldn't be underestimated and neither should Japanese challenger Spielberg. Antoine De Watrigant's Gailo Chop had Western Hymn behind when landing a Group 2 at Deauville in August and could reward each-way support. The latter was also beaten more than three lengths when behind Free Eagle in the Champion Stakes here in October, though has probably improved this year. THE GREY GATSBY was a shade disappointing when only fourth at the Curragh last month but is still closely matched with Free Eagle on a line through winner Al Kazeem and his overall form is out of the top drawer. Kevin Ryan's grey could be too good for these if Jamie Spencer can play him late.
Cannock Chase (USA) 6-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 5f out, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Maverick Wave (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in May.
Criterion (NZ) (9-0) 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Blazing Speed (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Apr.
Ectot 6-1 (8-11) 17th of 20, 10l behind Treve (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Free Eagle (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon in touch on inside, tracking leaders 6f out, 3rd inside final 2f, ridden one pace and no impression over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Noble Mission (9-5) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Oct.
Gailo Chop (FR) 20-1 (9-2) 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Solow (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 1f Grp 1 gd in May.
Spielberg (JPN) (9-2) 4th of 14, 6l behind Lachesis (8-9) at Hanshin(JPN) 1m 2f Grp 2 sft in Apr.
The Corsican (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Held up off the pace in 5th, good headway on outside over 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, led entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in May beating Educate (9-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
The Grey Gatsby (IRE) 11-10fav (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, soon challenged, dropped to 4th inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 2l behind Al Kazeem (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Western Hymn 11-4 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up in 4th, headway on outside 3f out, 3rd travelling well 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, strong challenge edging right inside final furlong, wandered left well inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in May beating Arab Spring (9-3) by hd, 5 ran.
California Chrome (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Prince Bishop (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 in Mar.
