led for 1f, chased leaders, went second 4f out until over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
always towards rear, weakened over 3f out, soon tailed off
close up, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, led inside final furlong, held on well
held up mid-division, headway and ridden over 2f out, kept on, held near finish
led after 1f, headed after 2f, chased leaders, led again over 5f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
held up, effort 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
led after 2f, clear after 5f, soon headed, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, headway on outer over 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, eased over 1f out
held up in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
TILT can take the prize though Amerigo and Downhiller are sure to be popular. Outsiders have a good record in recent renewals and we look to have found a lively one with Brian Ellison's charge. Ryan Moore was jocked up for this some time ago and with ground likely to suit, he can leave behind a below par run at Epsom on reappearance. Johnny Murtagh is a late replacement aboard Amerigo. Michael Jarvis won this prize a couple of years ago with Anak Pekan and his horse will need to be special in order to overcome a horror draw. Downhiller won well at Ripon over two miles. He is fairly consistent though will need to have improved again to trouble this grade of runner. Ian Williams won this race last season and he relies upon Double Banded to retain his crown. Barry Hills always saddles winners at Chester so it was no surprise to see Daraahem a warm order in the ante-post markets. He has a useful draw to work from. Som Tala has become a regular in this race but has to go one better today off a 5lb higher mark. Inchnadamph was absent from the Cesarewitch due to injury and appeared in need of the run last time out. Hindu Kush was formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien though has ran well for Dandy Nicholls; latterly at Navan in listed company. Carte Diamond was never recovered fully from his bad experience down under. Ajaan would be a popular winner for Henry Cecil but he is yet to conclusively prove that he gets the trip. Gala Evening is a fascinating participant from the Jim Old yard, especially as Richard Hughes is aboard. Top weight, Macorville returns from a long absence whilst Desert Sea has been a credit to connections and warmed up for this with an emphatic success at Kempton. Tilt can provide the right answers at the finish.
Hindu Kush (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and challenged 2f out, headed over 1f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Alandi (9-1) at Navan 1m 5f Listed stks gd in Apr.
Carte Diamond (USA) 12-1 (9-13) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Keenes Day (9-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Daraahem (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Never better than mid-division, 17th of 32, 24l behind Caracciola (9-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Halla San 33-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, hard ridden 2f out and soon weakened, 8th of 11, 8l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Ajaan 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, effort over 3f, no impression, 11th of 21, 19l behind Tropical Strait (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Desert Sea (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up behind mid-division, headway and led 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar beating Gala Evening (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Amerigo (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Always prominent, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, took 2nd on line, no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Patkai (9-1) at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) fm in Jun.
Som Tala 9-2fav (9-10) Held up in mid-division, pushed along before straight, driven 3f out, hung right under pressure, soon weakened, 15th of 18, 33l behind Baddam (9-4) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jul.
Dunaskin (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased winner until over 3f out, ridden and soon beaten, last of 4, 14l behind Fiulin (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Downhiller (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Prominent, driven to lead over 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Ripon 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr beating Wells Lyrical (9-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Gala Evening 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out, took 2nd final strides, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Desert Sea (8-13) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Tilt 20-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 16th of 18, 29l behind Hatton Flight (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (3) gd in Apr.
Formax (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on, never near leaders, 9th of 18, 10l behind Hatton Flight (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (3) gd in Apr.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Soon tracked leaders, led 3f out, hung left and wide into straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Acrobatic (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Sep '06.
Inchnadamph 16-1 (9-5) Keen, close up, short lived effort approaching 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 33l behind Keenes Day (9-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Double Banded (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, headway final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Merchant Of Dubai (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Oct.
Macorville (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, soon prominent, pushed along 6f out, weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up, last of 33, well behind Leg Spinner (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct '07.
