always in rear, ridden and no impression from 2f out
held up in rear, headway to squeeze through horses 1f out, switched sharply right entering final furlong, soon led, quickened clear
keen, mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
pulled hard early, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and one pace final furlong
led, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
dwelt, raced slightly wide of main group, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never near leaders
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Evasive is sure to be popular but it looks worth taking him on and we'll opt for BORDER PATROL ahead of Balthazar's Gift. Evasive wasn't beaten all that far in the Guineas before getting to within three and a half lengths of Mastercraftsman in the St James' Palace Stakes. They were decent efforts but there's always been the suspicion that a mile stretches him although his entries indicate that he will try the trip again later in the season. This is his first run since leaving Sir Michael Stoute and he's held in high regard but he's likely to be short enough to oppose. A large number of the field are closely matched with 12lbs separating the highest rated from the lowest and that runner, Palace Moon, should prove better than his current mark granted time. The July Cup had been talked of as a possibility for him earlier in the season so it's interesting to see him try seven. Prime Defender is an experienced campaigner who is having just his second run over this trip, Gallagher shouldn't be written off despite failing to run his race at Goodwood whilst Regal Parade goes from strength to strength. He's closely matched with Balthazar's Gift who looked back to somewhere near his best at Goodwood and is capable of going close. We're going to take a chance with a young horse on the up though in Border Patrol. He's been brought along steadily by his patient handler and has been given plenty of time since three relatively quick starts earlier in the season. He had enough speed to beat Triple Aspect over six furlongs and sufficient stamina to win a mile Listed race at Sandown suggesting that he's above average and he's well worth his place in this line-up.
Al Muheer (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Held up towardas rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, edged right, driven out, won at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Jul beating Secret Society (8-3) by 1/2l, 21 ran.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on under strong pressure to chase winner well inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Finjaan (8-9) at Goodwood 7f stks (1) gd in Jul.
Express Wish 33-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, not clear run 2f out, switched left, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Finjaan (8-9) at Goodwood 7f stks (1) gd in Jul.
Palace Moon 1-2fav (9-4) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed throughout final furlong, lost on the nod, 2nd of 6, ns behind Judd Street (9-4) at Salisbury 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul beating Captain Brilliance (9-3) by nk, 19 ran.
Prime Defender 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind High Standing (9-3) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jul.
Regal Parade 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Finjaan (8-9) at Goodwood 7f stks (1) gd in Jul.
Evasive 11-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge leaders, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mastercraftsman (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Gallagher 9-2 (9-0) Close up, 5th straight, headway to chase leader 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Zacinto (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3yo lst stk (1) sft.
Al Qasi (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Three Rocks (9-7) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 gd in Jul.
Arabian Gleam 25-1 (9-0) Held up, raced on outside of chasing group, reminders halfway, hung right over 2f out and soon weakened, 7th of 9, 23l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Tariq 4-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 10, 5l behind Main Aim (9-0) at Haydock 7f stks (1) gd in May.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 10-11fav (9-9) Made all, ridden 2f out, joined entering final furlong, driven all out gamely, won at Haydock 7f cond Stakes (3) sft in Jul beating Prime Spirit (8-8) by hd, 4 ran.
Border Patrol 10-3 (9-3) Took keen hold early, soon steadied rear, headway on outside going well 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon in command and kept on well, won at Sandown 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May beating Ashram (9-3) by 1l, 6 ran.
