took keen hold, tracked leading trio, chased winner over 2f out, found no extra and well held final furlong
raced in 3rd throughout, hard ridden 2f out, soon no impression on leading duo
held up in 5th, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off
led at good pace, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up last, pushed along and some headway over 3f out, never reached leaders and struggling final 2f, eased inside final furlong
sson pushed along towards rear, not much room on inside halfway, ridden and beaten 3f out, tailed off and eased
slowly into stride, raced wide in 6th, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Saeed Bin Suroor's Rio de La Plata is bound to be popular with backers following back-to-back wins at Nottingham and Pontefract but the softer ground today is a concern and preference is for LES FAZZANI, who can bounce back to winning ways on ground that suits. Kevin Ryan's mare was all out when successful here in a listed race in May but she is proven on the underfoot ground conditions and looks the one to beat. Tom Tate's Distant Memories has shown progressive form and is another that will not be inconvenienced by the going so he has to be considered and makes more appeal than Sir Michael Stoute's Class Is Class, who may want faster going. John Gosden's Fallen Idol has only had the four runs and should not be far away having run creditably in this grade on soft ground in France last time.
Class Is Class (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, switched left to challenge over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in May beating Laaheb (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Distant Memories (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leading trio, challenged 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and pressed winner 1f out, found no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Red Badge (8-7) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in Jul.
Poet 20-1 (9-3) Soon led, strongly pressed over 2f out, ridden and headed just inside final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, no chance with leading duo final furlong, kept on to hold 3rd, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Red Badge (8-7) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in Jul.
Rio de La Plata (USA) 5-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged left and joined on line, won at Pontefract 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Jul deadheating with Mabait (9-1), 6 ran.
Les Fazzani (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Prominent, lost place over 8f out, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Barshiba (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f Grp 2 flls (1) gf in Jul.
Fallen Idol 9-2 (8-10) 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sormiou (8-10) at Chantilly(FR) 1m Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Green Moon (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, 3rd when slightly hampered well over 1f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 7l behind Monterosso (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Icon Dream (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Took keen hold in touch on inside, driven over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind Mikhail Glinka (9-1) at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
South Easter (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader until 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 11, 45l behind Harbinger (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
