dwelt, held up in rear and well off the pace, hanging right from 5f out, moderate headway on rails from over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd just inside final furlong, no chance with first 2
held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, soon outpaced and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, headway to lead over 3f out, driven along from 2f out, almost joined inside final furlong, driven to assert gamely towards finish
held up in touch, headway to chase winner from 3f out, battled on gamely, almost joined winner inside final furlong, no extra, held towards finish
in touch, effort 5f out, chased leading pair but no impression over 1f out, weakened and lost 3rd just inside final furlong
held up and behind, niggled along 7f out, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
led for 2f, tracked leading pair after, gradually lost place from 6f out, weakened over 3f out, virtually pulled up final 2f
led up to 2f, headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly away, never going well in rear, always struggling
soon tracked leader, challenged from 6f out, led 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Distinction put up a tremendous performance in the Gold Cup and looks good enough to go one better here, with Millenary, Lost Soldier Three and Shabernak others to consider. The selection was improving last year and showed that he had really come on by running Westerner to within a length at the Royal meeting, with the rest well beaten. A reproduction of that effort should suffice, though there is a slight doubt over the ground. Millenary will no have problems with the surface, and has good memories of the track, having won the Gordon Stakes on his only start here five years ago. There is no reason to believe he won't run a big race once more, but giving weight away to the selection should prove beyond him. Lost Soldier Three also handles but, though whether he will get this extreme trip is still open to question. His one previous try in Group 2 company ended in defeat, but he is still open to more improvement and is worth another try. Of the others, Shabernak is highly regarded by Michael Bell and going the right way. He proved he stays at Sandown last time and this hike in class should be within his compass, though he has never won with cut in the ground. But Distinction made a big impression at York, and having been given a decent break he can repay our faith here.
Millenary 7-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, went moderate 3rd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 13l behind Gamut (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gs.
Dancing Bay 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, steady progress over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 9l behind Cruzspiel (9-0) at York 2m 6f stk (2) gf in Jun.
Distinction (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway over 4f out, chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 17, nk behind Westerner (9-2) at York 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Golden Quest 9-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, good headway to lead on stands' rail 3f out, hard pressed final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp (2) gs beating Balkan Knight (9-11) by a shd, 13 ran.
Lochbuie (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 20, 8l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Lost Soldier Three (IRE) 15-8fav (9-8) Held up, driven along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on under pressure, won at York 1m 6f lst hcp (1) gd beating Grampian (9-1) by a hd, 8 ran.
Shabernak (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Made all, ridden, quickened 2f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Sandown 2m lst stk (1) gf beating Midas Way (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along over 7f out, outpaced over 3f out, soon eased, last of 8, well behind Lost Soldier Three (9-8) at York 1m 6f lst hcp (1) gd.
Hearthstead Wings 6-1 (8-3) Led, steady pace, quickened over 6f out, driven along of 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 8, 1l behind Lost Soldier Three (9-8) at York 1m 6f lst hcp (1) gd.
