dwelt, soon ridden and in touch on near side rail, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced on outside of main group, speed to halfway
slowly into stride, raced in centre, held up, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader far side and not on terms, ridden halfway, no chance final 2f
slowly into stride and always behind
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened and behind final 2f
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, kept on well when challenged inside final furlong
switched right to race centre, in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong
chased far side pair and not on terms, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden halfway, no impression final 2f
in rear on outer of main group, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
raced against near side rail, made most, ridden and headed inside final 2f, stayed challenging and rallied inside final furlong, always just held
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on one pace from over 1f out
chased leader, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up on outer of main group, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd entering final furlong
led far side trio and not on terms, ridden and no chance final 2f
slowly into stride, behind from halfway
This has the look of a decent race and the shortlisted three are Hellvelyn, Tariq and Holy Roman Emperor, with the vote going to Holy Roman Emperor. Running through these, and Baby Castle has done nothing wrong in two starts, his victories including a course and distance win, and he is respected. Chjimes is held on that Ascot form, and La Neige has a length and three quarters to find for his second-place run in that same contest. Tariq also looked good when scoring on his debut and given that trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam has elected to run him ahead of impressive Windsor winner Dutch Art, he has to be granted all due respect. Hellvelyn made short work of three opponents last time in a Pontefract race that has thrown up some good horses in recent times, and he is respected too. Aidan O'Brien has won this race four times since 1997 so his Leopardstown winner Holy Roman Emperor has to be seriously considered, particularly as he comes here with a very good home reputation. Richard Hannon's good Newbury winner Major Cadeaux rates as a possible player, while Kevin Ryan's pair, Sadeek and Prince Golan are also respected. It all adds up to a very good Coventry Stakes, with Holy Roman Emperor given as the selection.
Baby Strange 9-4jt-fav (9-2) Chased leaders on inside, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, won at Ascot 6f 2yo stk (3) gs in May beating La Neige (9-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Baltimore Jack (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, soon ridden, headway to lead well over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on, won at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd beating Waiheke Island (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Captain Marvelous (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Reared start, led over 5f out, ridden 2f out, ran on, headed near finish, 2nd of 6, hd behind Danebury Hill (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f nov med aut stk (5) gd in May.
Carson's Spirit (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, won at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Apr beating Alternative (9-3) by 1l, 13 ran.
Chjimes (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (9-2) Prominent, led going well 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Baby Strange (9-2) at Ascot 6f 2yo stk (3) gs in May.
Deadshot Keen (IRE) 4-7fav (8-13) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, ridden out, won at Bath 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in May beating Lipocco (8-6) by 1l, 7 ran.
Everymanforhimself (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Outpaced, behind, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 5f 2yo stk (2) gd in May beating Mood Music (9-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Hammers Boy (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, mainly 4th, ridden straight, went 2nd 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Country Song (9-7) at Tipperary 7f 2yo stk frm.
Hellvelyn 4-6fav (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, drew clear entering final furlong, easily, won at Pontefract 6f 2yo stk (2) gs in May beating Always Fruitful (9-1) by 4l, 4 ran.
Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, headway on outer entering straight, led under 2f out, clear final furlong, easily, won at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn gf beating El Soprano (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Jo'burg (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, soon chased leaders, led just inside final 2f, hard pressed over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Major Cadeaux (9-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in May.
Johannesburg Jack (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, switched right, good headway over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Brighton 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May beating Winning Spirit (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Kalgoorlie (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Held up, headway halfway, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 9l behind Tariq (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in May.
La Neige 9-2 (9-2) Dwelt, held up in rear, switched right to wide outside 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, held, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Baby Strange (9-2) at Ascot 6f 2yo stk (3) gs in May.
Major Cadeaux 7-1 (9-3) Prominent, headway and ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in May beating Jo'burg (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Mubaashir (IRE) 7-4 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure, no impression over 1f out, weakened, 4th of 6, 3l behind Sadeek (9-0) at Epsom 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf.
Prince Golan (IRE) 8-11fav (9-3) Held up behind leaders far side, led 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (4) hvy in May beating Prince Rossi (9-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
Sadeek 6-4fav (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, edged left final furlong, driven out, won at Epsom 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf beating Going Straight (8-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Tariq 14-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in May beating Ebn Reem (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tudor Prince (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tariq (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in May.
Zafonical Storm (USA) 4-6fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, went 2nd 2f out, driven final furlong, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Folkestone 5f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Mar beating Racing Stripes (9-3) by a nk, 4 ran.
