Verdict

Delegator was dropped to 6f for the first time at York last month and beat four of today's rivals to win the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes in good style. His participation is dependant on the ground and the Irish raider Bewitched makes more appeal as he's proven on soft going and over C&D. Bated Breath is another progressive sprinter with a Listed win at Windsor to his credit and he'll handle any cut as will stablemate Definightly, who won a Group 3 in France last year. Australian sprinter Star Witness has form on slow ground and went very close in the King's Stand here on Tuesday. He's a leading contender over this extra furlong and should take care of Kingsgate Native once again. The latter won this in 2008 as a three-year-old and another from that age group in the shape of HOORAY looks to have every chance today. Sir Mark Prescott's filly won the Group 1 Cheveley Park over 6f last season and though finding a mile in the 1000 Guineas beyond her, she bounced back with a win over 7f at Epsom last time. She should cope with the underfoot conditions and is preferred to her peer and fast ground Newbury winner Elzaam.

Formwatch

Amico Fritz (GER) (9-6) won at Cologne(GER) 6f Grp 3 gd in Apr beating Walero (9-6) by ns, 10 ran.

Bated Breath 15-8fav (9-0) Took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Windsor 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in May beating Triple Aspect (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.

Dalghar (FR) 7-1 (9-7) Went left start, prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 3l behind Delegator (9-7) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in May.

Definightly 5-2fav (9-11) 9th of 15, 6l behind Rosendhal (9-8) at Capannelle(ITY) 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Nov.

Delegator 5-1fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and good headway final furlong, stayed on strongly to lead towards finish, won at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in May beating Regal Parade (9-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.

Genki (IRE) 17-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, no extra towards finish, 7th of 14, 5l behind Delegator (9-7) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in May.

Hitchens (IRE) 11-4 (9-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, led final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in May beating Tiddliwinks (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.

Jimmy Styles 12-1 (9-9) Dwelt in rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 8th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Genki (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Apr.

Kingsgate Native (IRE) 11-2fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway when short of room over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 19, 4l behind Prohibit (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd.

Monsieur Chevalier (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Behind, headway inside final furlong, never nearer, 11th of 19, 6l behind Prohibit (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd.

Palace Moon 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd going well over 2f out, ridden and found little over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Chachamaidee (8-11) at York 7f cond Stakes (3) gd in May.

Royal Rock 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon no impression, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Bated Breath (9-0) at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gd in May.

Society Rock (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Steadied start, chased leaders, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Bated Breath (9-0) at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gd in May.

Star Witness (AUS) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon hung right, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 19, 1/2l behind Prohibit (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd.

Bewitched (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Held up, pulled to outer and challenged in 5th 1f out, quickened smartly to lead inside final furlong, eased near finish, won at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 (1) gf in May beating Zoffany (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.

Elzaam (AUS) 10-3 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway and quickened to challenge 2f out, led and edged left over 1f out, soon came well clear, ran on strongly, easily, won at Newbury 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in May beating Cape To Rio (9-0) by 6l, 9 ran.

Hooray 8-11fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Epsom Downs 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd beating Lord Of The Stars (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.