held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, ran wide into straight, well beaten when driven and hung left 2f out
held up in last trio, headway and switched left to outside 2f out, went modest 3rd over 1f out, well beaten when hung right final furlong
held up in 5th, headway on wide outside over 3f out, went modest 3rd well over 1f out until over 1f out
soon tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 4f out, headed over 3f out, pulled up approaching 2f out and dismounted, lame
tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged from 4f out, pushed along to lead over 3f out, ridden over 4 lengths clear and in command 2f out, stayed on strongly
disputed close 3rd, tracked leading pair over 3f out, driven and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, losing place when not much room on rail 3f out, struggling after
took keen hold, held up in 6th, steady heaway over 3f out, went 4 lengths 2nd and hung right over 2f out, driven and no impression on winner over 1f out
took keen hold, held up in last trio, dropped to rear over 6f out, soon lost touch, pulled up approaching 2f out
There are more question marks over this race this year given YEATS' first run of the season, but whilst it's tempting to side with Geordieland given his new-found steely resolve, it is back to the past master that we return. A Ballydoyle stalwart for several seasons now, the eight-year-old Yeats comes here on perhaps his poorest performance for years, a well-beaten sixth at Navan (a race that he had won the two seasons previously). That wasn't his true running however and connections will have him primed for an astonishing 15th career win, and even more staggeringly his fourth in this race. Geordieland has been unlucky to have been around in the same era really; Jamie Osborne's gelding has been second in this race for the last two years but if there are any cracks in Yeats' armour this season then he will profit. Formerly castigated as a bridle horse, his two recent wins have been illuminated with some grit and he must hit the podium once again. Of the younger brigade, the most interesting are Veracity and Patkai. The former looks the pick of the Godolphin duo and will appreciate this longer trip, whilst Patkai is only four but he is already brimming with stamina and last-year's Queen's Vase winner looks another who will relish the extra half mile this afternoon. A visor is tried on Centennial, whilst Washington Irving may have been bought out of Ballydoyle to go hurdling next season but last year's Derby fifth is no back number here. This will arguably be the toughest test that Yeats has faced in recent times at Ascot but he is taken to come through it with flying colours.
Eastern Anthem (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, last and struggling straight, ridden and beaten 2f out, hung left soon after, 6th of 8, 11l behind Ask (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f stks (1) gd.
Geordieland (FR) 5-1 (9-2) Held up in 6th, steady headway on outside from 3f out, tracked leader over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, in command when hung right final 100 yards and stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m stks (1) gd in May beating Patkai (9-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
Sagara (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, effort 3f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Mad Rush (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf.
Veracity 5-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 5f, ridden to challenge over 2f, weakened approaching final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Ask (8-13) at York 1m 6f stks (1) gs in May.
Yeats (IRE) 4-5fav (9-9) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd 3f out, no extra over 2f out, weakened (vet reported blowing hard post-race), 6th of 8, 33l behind Alandi (9-1) at Navan 1m 5f Listed stks gd in Apr.
Centennial (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 48l behind Ask (8-13) at York 1m 6f stks (1) gs in May.
Hindu Kush (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Made all, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks gd in May beating Alandi (9-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Patkai (IRE) 1-2fav (9-0) Held up in 5th, headway on outside over 3f out, went 3rd going well 3f out, led and hung right over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, looked held when hampered final 100 yards and soon eased, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Geordieland (9-2) at Sandown 2m stks (1) gd in May.
Washington Irving (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden along over 4f, weakened over 1f, 4th of 8, 12l behind Ask (8-13) at York 1m 6f stks (1) gs in May.
