in touch, ridden and weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 2f
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
led to over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened inside final 3f
tracked leader until weakened 5f out, virtually pulled up final 3f, lame
mid-division on outside, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division when hampered on rails 2f out, no chance after
held up towards rear, steady headway on outside from 6f out, led just inside final 2f, clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, making headway on rails and staying on when hampered 2f out, soon eased when no chance
held up in mid-division, stayed on one pace final 2f
held up in rear, effort on outside 2f out, moderate headway
chased leaders until lost place after 6f, renewed effort on outside 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway 3f out, chased winner just inside final 2f, one pace and no impression final furlong
held up in rear, hampered 9f out, driven on inside when hampered over 2f out, no chance after
in touch, went 2nd over 3f out until weakened quickly 2f out
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
always behind, struggling final 4f, virtually pulled up final 2f
mid-division, weakened and struggling final 4f, virtually pulled up final 2f
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway and ridden 3f out, stayed on final 2f, not reached leaders
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, headway on wide outside from 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never going pace to reach leaders
in touch, headway to chase leading pair 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, virtually pulled up final furlong
took keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, lost place over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 2f
behind, headway into mid-division over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in mid-division, weakened quickly over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 2f
chased leaders until weakened quickly 5f out, well behind when virtually pulled up final 3f
held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and stayed on to dispute 2nd over 1f out, hung badly left inside final furlong
pulled hard in rear, rapid headway on wide outside to join leaders 10f out, weakened quickly over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 3f
Making it onto our shortlist for the Ascot Stakes are Elusive Dream, Prins Willem, Pacolet, Establishment and Incursion, with the selection being Pacolet. Much as he was behind Admiral in the Chester Cup, Elusive Dream got his revenge when he warmed up for this last time with a very good second to Toldo over two miles at this track. He looks poised to go well in this big-field handicap. Prins Willem is reasonably weighted based on his best efforts of the last two years and he prepared for today by winning at Lingfield and is respected. Baddam was behind Elusive Dream at Ascot but he could well improve for the extra distance today and is another to consider. Afrad often goes well in these staying events and Escayola and Trance have proven that they can win from their current ratings. Being from such a canny yard, Top The Charts gets a favourable mention and fellow Irish raider Pacolet also has a reasonable profile coming into this contest. Double Obsession loved the old Ascot track and even if getting back to his 2004 form would have to be given a chance, while Full House is another that hails from a canny stable and looks weighted to go pretty well. Establishment was an eye catcher when running on at Goodwood last time and should run a fair race, and it would be no surprise to see Newbury winner Mister Right improve again over this longer trip. Tarabut isn't an obvious stayer but the fact that Ed Dunlop has elected to run this fairly-unexposed filly is interesting, while winning hurdler - and former German Flat winner - Irish Wolf also holds some interest from Peter Bowen's yard. On two-mile Goodwood form of last May, Incursion is entitled to beat Establishment, so he cannot be ruled out either, while Shamayoun is bred to win Group races and maybe cheekpieces will help him sharpen up his act today. Finally, Eastborough is on a winning mark but we couldn't be strong on his winning chances today. As we say, this is very competitive, with the choice being Pacolet.
Afrad (FR) 3-1fav (8-11) Held up in touch, effort over 3f out, weakening when short of room over 2f out, 28th of 34, well behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Elusive Dream 9-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, driven along from 3f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Toldo (8-4) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Michabo (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led, hard pressed over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied under pressure just held, 2nd of 16, hd behind Salute (8-13) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Admiral (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Prominent, ridden and switched left over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Toldo (8-4) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Savannah Bay 50-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure, not trouble leaders, 9th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Alfie Noakes (8-8) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Prins Willem (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) In touch, stayed on steadily over 1f out, led final 100 yards, soon clear, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Nawow (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Baddam 33-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, took closer order from over 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 15, 7l behind Toldo (8-4) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Distant Prospect (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 10th of 34, 12l behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Escayola (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Silvertown (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Casual Glance 20-1 (8-7) Held up, stayed on final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Cover Up (9-2) at Lingfield 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
McEldowney 11-4 (9-2) Soon led, headed after 3f, ridden and outpaced halfway, headway over 2f out to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Kames Park (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Top The Charts 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Vaughan (9-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f clm (4) gs in Oct.
Trance (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Slowly away, held up, headway over 2f out, chased leaders final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Finalmente (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in May.
Tikram 50-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 36, 15l behind Landing Light (9-4) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B) gf in Oct '03.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 7-2 (9-11) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, outpaced 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Maystock (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcap (4) gf in May.
Double Obsession 13-2 (9-6) Prominent, led after 3f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out and beaten inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Kames Park (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Numero Due 5-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 5f out, edged left and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Bulwark (9-9) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Football Crazy (IRE) 7-2 (9-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and kept oin final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Graham Island (9-13) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Full House (IRE) 11-4fav (9-11) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Prairie Sun (9-5) by a nk, 9 ran.
Establishment 9-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, hampered after 3f, headway over 4f out, not clear run 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Hue (8-4) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in May.
Mister Right (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, held up in rear, switched and steady headway from 4f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 5f hcap (5) gf beating Taxman (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Tarabut 11-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Nordwind (9-6) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
High Point (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, hampered 6f out, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Our Monogram (9-1) at Chepstow 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Irish Wolf (FR) 14-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, 4th straight, kept on to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Kayf Aramis (8-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcap (5) sft in Apr.
Pacolet (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (9-1) Held up going well, led over 1f out, soon headed and no extra, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Carlesimo (9-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp 0-90 gf.
Burntoakboy 7-1 (10-7) Prominent, effort over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Kinger Rocks (11-0) at Listowel 1m 6f stk gf.
Incursion 13-2 (9-10) Kept steady pace, quickened 6f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Mr Majestic (8-7) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Shamayoun (FR) (9-4) Prominent, led over 2f out, kept on well, won at Saint-Cloud 1m 6f stk in Oct beating Nito Rolle (9-4) by 1l, 10 ran.
Eastborough (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) In touch, headway 10f out, disputed lead 8f out, headed 3f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 13, 28l behind Mister Right (9-4) at Newbury 1m 5f hcap (5) gf.
