mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 150 yards
steadied start, held up, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on, not reach leaders
took keen hold, tracked leader, carried wide well over 3f out, soon led, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well until headed and outpaced well inside final furlong
towards rear, soon outpaced, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on steadily to lead well inside final furlong, won going away
held up, wide bend well over 3f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, no further progress and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear and stuggling throughout
prominent in 4th, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and one pace from over 1f out
behind, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place and weakened quickly over 2f out
led, hanging right and wide bend well over 3f out, soon headed, kept in touch until well over 2f out, weakened quickly
Declaration Of War is taken to beat Irish Jig, Mister Hardy, Meeris and Cracking in a wide-open renewal. As usual in the Woodcote, a whole host of speedy juveniles take each other on, and so it is without a great deal of confidence that Declaration Of War is put forward as the answer. Peter Chapple-Hyam has so far had a brilliant strike-rate rate with his youngsters, and this well-made colt certainly looked the part when turning Silver Guest over on his Newmarket debut a fortnight ago. Rated highly enough to be nominated for the Coventry Stakes if good enough here, this will tell us if that plan is too ambitious. Ger Lyons is pleased that there is some cut in the ground for Irish Jig, whose second to Warsaw at Leopardstown could hardly have worked out better, and a subsequent win back there will give his supporters confidence. The form of Mister Hardy's Newcastle victory has worked out well, while Cracking won the Lily Agnes at Chester, but has a small penalty to carry. Mount Pleasure captured the Garter Stakes at Ascot last time, and should at least hold Kersaint on that form, and Mick Channon, successful with B A Foxtrot two years ago, relies on Hamilton winner Meeris, a son of Dubai Destination who holds plenty of big-race entries. Plenty in with a shout then, and the pin comes down on Declaration Of War, whose sire Okawango won three times on soft ground during an illustrious career.
Cracking (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right when pressed inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chester 5f 2yo stk (2) gf in May beating Fast Feet (8-12) by a hd, 7 ran.
Mount Pleasure (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Held up, headway on wide outside over 1f out, driven and strong run inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Ascot 5f 2yo stk (3) gf in May beating Littlemisssunshine (8-7) by a nk, 8 ran.
Berbice (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, not clear run over 2f out, switched left, led entering final furlong, headed and unable to quicken close home, 3rd of 11, nk behind Outside Edge (9-3) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in May.
Bespoke Boy 9-2 (9-3) Made all, quickened clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in May beating Nickel Silver (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
Cee Bargara 9-4fav (9-3) Reared at start, soon prominent, switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Pontefract 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf in May beating Irving Place (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Declaration of War (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 3f out, led again approaching 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, rallied to lead again close home, won at Newmarket 6f nov stk (4) gd in May beating Silver Guest (8-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Irish Jig (IRE) 1-5fav (9-3) Made all, quickened clear early straight, very easily, won at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn auc gf in May beating I Confess (9-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
Jermajesty (IRE) Touch of The Blues colt, half-brother to winners from 7f-1m3f.
Kersaint (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, led inside final 2f, headed and carried briefly left just inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Mount Pleasure (9-1) at Ascot 5f 2yo stk (3) gf in May.
Lieutenant Pigeon 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over halfway, kept on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Hamilton 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in May beating Latin Class (8-12) by 2l, 4 ran.
Meeriss (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, headway to lead entering final furlong, kept on, won at Hamilton 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in May beating Smileforawhile (9-3) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mister Hardy 8-11fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Newcastle 5f nov stk (4) gd in Apr beating Thunder Bay (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Baytown Blaze 33-1 (8-9) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Sweepstake (8-9) at Sandown 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gs in May.
