held up towards rear on inside, not clear run from over 2f out until over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
pulled hard, tracked leaders, driven to chase leader briefly 2f out, soon weakened under pressure
slow into stride, soon recovered into mid-division, pushed along, not much room over 2f out until over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outside 2f out, effort over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final 75 yards, no impression
led, pushed 2 lengths clear over 1f out, driven, headed final 100 yards, no impression, lost 2nd final 75 yards
close up, driven on outside over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leader to 2f out, soon ridden, weakened
held up in mid-division, keeping on one pace under pressure when not clear run briefly over 1f out
held up towards rear, racing awkwardly when not much room from over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no danger
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
held up in rear, switched left, headway on wide outside from 2f out, chased leader approaching final furlong, quickened to lead final 100 yards, won going away
held up in rear, not clear run, steadily switched left from 2f out, effort on outside, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
This looks a very good renewal of this Group 2 race with our choice being Tariq, who is selected ahead of Royal Oath and Arabian Gleam. Tariq was very impressive when winning the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, looking as though he was a horse to follow. He can build on his reputation today. Arabian Gleam has three-and-three-quarter lengths to find with him based on that contest and Thousand Words was eighth in the same race. The Golden Jubilee Stakes third and July Cup sixth, Asset, could be interesting moving up in trip, while Dunelight was not disgraced when fifth to Cesare in Ascot's Summer Mile last time and, having run well at this venue last season, might go well. That said, Royal Oath was nearly three lengths ahead of him at the Berkshire venue. John Gosden's runner had earlier romped to victory in the Royal Hunt Cup and, with the blinkers he wore there for the first time in his career reapplied today, he looks a danger to the selection. Finally, much as Misu Bond has not built on his 2,000 Guineas fifth of last year, he should be sharper following a couple of runs this season. Once again, though, the selection is Tariq.
Dark Islander (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Pulled hard early, held up in rear, ridden entering straight, soon beaten, last of 9, 12l behind Cesare (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gf.
Mutawaajid (AUS) 16-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 18, 4l behind Sakhee's Secret (8-13) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Assertive 10-1 (9-3) Led for 1f, tracked leader, regained lead over 1f out, hard driven and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Balthazaar's Gift (9-3) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Asset (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, lost place halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 2 1/2l behind Sakhee's Secret (8-13) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Dunelight (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Cesare (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gf.
Levera 16-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway when not clear run 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 7th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Silver Touch (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Misu Bond (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 5l behind Song of Passion (8-8) at Chester 7f stk (2) sft.
Royal Oath (USA) 13-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, headway to lead over 1f out, driven entering final furlong, headed and not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Cesare (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gf.
Arabian Gleam 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Tariq (9-1) at Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Dubai's Touch 7-2 (9-1) Soon led, strongly pressed and hard driven inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Mar beating Prime Defender (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Finicius (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, 5th and effort entering straight, no impression from under 2f out, one pace, 5th of 7, 11l behind Danehill Music (9-6) at Curragh 1m lst stk (1) sft.
Tariq 15-2 (9-1) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway and not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon clear, easily, won at Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun beating US Ranger (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Thousand Words 9-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 8l behind Tariq (9-1) at Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
