held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, stayed on to 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
led at fast pace, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened rapidly
always close up, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd 1f out, lost 3rd last strides
mid-division, weakened well over 2f out
chased leaders, hard ridden and pressed leaders over 2f out, weakened quickly well over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, switched left and stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and stayed on well
mid-division on inside, one pace when hampered on rail well over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, not clearest of runds over 2f out, plugged on one pace inside final furlong
took keen hold towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, stayed on
raced wide, tracked leader after 1f, until over 2f out, weakened rapidly, eased
held up in rear, some late headway
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, plugged on one pace final furlong
chased leading pair, ridden over 3f out, weakened rapidly over 2f out
Six previous course and distance winners but we choose to swerve them all and side with John Gosden's CLOCKMAKER ahead of the well-weighted Calahonda and top weight carrier Red Somerset. This race is a very tricky proposition and could stir up a lot of surprises. Although Clockmaker looks to be progressing it is only a tentative selection given the claims of the competition running today. The pick rallied very well in the final furlong and almost managed to sneak the win on the line. He is on a competitive mark in this contest and we think he can do enough to lose his maiden tag. Calahonda has obvious claims if producing a similar effort to a winning performance in her penultimate start. Last time out she ran a creditable second at Windsor. She could take advantage of being bottom weight to challenge for the major honours. Bea Menace will be looking to return with a bang after a break and Red Somerset won here over this sort of trip in April and is not out of contention again today. Cautiously we opt to go with Clockmaker to get the spoils.
Red Somerset (USA) 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 9th of 11, 24l behind Ezdeyaad (10-0) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Elusive Fame (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, chased leaders 5f, 12th of 13, 14l behind Feeling Fresh (9-1) at Chester 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Dukes Art 16-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden halfway, no impression, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Man Of Action (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Bea Menace (USA) 11-8fav (9-4) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 6, 4l behind Bay Knight (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Bomber Command (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 11l behind Ela Gorrie Mou (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Hurricane Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Held up in 6th on inside, tracked clear leading pair 2f out, closed entering final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind All The Nines (9-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Clockmaker (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Raced wide early, soon tracking winner, effort and ridden 2f out, stayed on well towards finish, always held, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Cape Rock (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
L'Hirondelle (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Soon crossed over to track leader, led 2f out, driven along over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind My Kingdom (9-2) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Totally Focussed (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Started slowly, behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Cape Rock (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
My Best Bet 20-1 (9-8) In rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and not clear run 1f out, switched right, keeping on when not clear run towards finish, 5th of 9, 4l behind I'm A Dreamer (9-3) at Newmarket 1m flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Leverage (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Threw head up very awkward leaving stalls and lost many lengths, in rear, carried head high and no real progress final 2f, 11th of 12, 11l behind Cape Rock (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Striding Edge (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Always behind, 8th of 12, 18l behind Halsion Chancer (10-12) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Ilie Nastase (FR) 25-1 (9-8) Raced wide, wide straight, always towards rear, 11th of 14, 8l behind All The Nines (9-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Calahonda 6-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ela Gorrie Mou (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
