ran in snatches, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on from 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, smooth headway over 3f out, led just over 2f out, stayed on strongly, readily (course record)
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 3f out until just over 2f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden and headway from 3f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, 6th and held when badly hampered inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway from over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, veered right inside final furlong, no further impression
driven along soon after start, in touch after 2f, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
always behind
led, soon clear, headed over 3f out, weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on but no chance with winner
mid-division until weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway and not clear run on rails over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, snatched 4th final strides
chased leader until over 5f out, gradually faded
The 2005 horse of the year Sergeant Cecil is again bound to be popular with backers but may once again have to settle for a minor role with his Royal Ascot conqueror Yeats impossible to oppose even under his Group 1 penalty and Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old is taken to confirm Ascot Gold Cup form with Rod Millman's stable star and the horse that chased him home that day Reefscape. The last mentioned last no caste in defeat at the royal meeting and may do better back over this shorter trip but Yeats in an unexposed stayer and has a touch of class so is taken to follow up and he should again have little difficulty in beating other horses that were behind him in the big staying race of the season. It will be surprising if Alcazar is good enough at the age of 11, while Queen Alexandra runner-up Cover Up probably wants further. Sir Mark Prescott's Foreign Affairs is in fine form at present, while dual Royal Ascot winner Baddam is another to consider but Yeats looked back to his best at Ascot and is taken to land another big staying contest.
Reefscape 10-3 (9-2) Held up, bumped straight, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd last stride, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Yeats (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd and travelling strongly straight, led over 2f out, shaken up and in command over 1f out, easily, won at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Reefscape (9-2) by 4l, 12 ran.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, tracked leading pair after 6f, went 2nd 8f out, pushed along 5f out, 4th and ridden straight, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 15l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Baddam 11-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead near finish, won at Ascot 2m 6f stk (2) gf in Jun beating Cover Up (9-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
Balkan Knight 6-1 (9-13) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Linas Selection (8-10) at York 1m 6f lst hcp (1) gf in Jul.
Bulwark (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up, mid-division, good headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden and edged over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Finalmente (8-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Jul.
Cover Up (IRE) 3-1fav (9-12) Held up in rear, headway to lead after 6f, made rest until headed approaching final furlong, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Baddam (9-0) at Ascot 2m 6f stk (2) gf in Jun.
Ebtikaar (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Baddam (9-0) at Ascot 2m 6f stk (2) gf in Jun.
Foreign Affairs 4-1 (9-9) Soon led and disputed, led soon after 2f, soon clear, niggled along from 6f out, slightly reduced lead, stayed on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in Jul beating Mkuzi (9-9) by 3l, 8 ran.
Geordieland (FR) 14-1 (8-11) In touch, kept on under pressure, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Policy Maker (8-11) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
Golden Quest 8-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner from 3f out, almost joined winner final furlong, no extra, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Distinction (9-5) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul '05.
High Action (USA) 100-1 (9-2) Soon led, clear 12f out, reduced lead 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased winner to over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 7l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Land 'n Stars 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leading pair, driven 2f out, rallied under pressure entering final furlong, driven to lead close home, won at Sandown 2m lst stk (1) gf in Jul beating Sergeant Cecil (9-0) by a nk, 5 ran.
Sergeant Cecil 5-6fav (9-0) Keen hold, held up, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 5, nk behind Land 'n Stars (9-3) at Sandown 2m lst stk (1) gf in Jul.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Led, quickened 5f out, driven and hung left over 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Land 'n Stars (9-3) at Sandown 2m lst stk (1) gf in Jul.
Alcazar (IRE) (9-2) With leader untill led after 2f, joined straight, headed 2f out and ridden, ran on until no extra final furlong, last of 6, 3 1/2l behind Shamdala (8-10) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 2 (A) gd in May.
