held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden 3f out, no response
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear on far side, headway over 2f out, quickened to lead and hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
with leader, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon short of room and switched right, no extra inside final furlong
raced keenly, prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, carried right inside final furlong, kept on
raced keenly, always behind, tailed off final 2f, eased
broke well, soon steadied, raced keenly, held up, effort over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken when short of room well over 1f out, kept on same pace after
keen early, soon steadied, held up, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
made most until 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders
held up mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon switching right looking for gaps, kept on well final furlong, running on towards finish
soon tracking leaders, pushed along inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, ran on well
Nonrunner
RIP VAN WINKLE, Delegator, Gan Amhras and Sea The Stars form our four strong short-list with the first-named taken to continue Ballydoyle's domination of the season's first Classic. He's sent out three winners of the race in the past four years and there's every reason to believe that Rip Van Winkle can improve the record despite lingering concerns about winter setbacks. He could only finish seventh in the Dewhurst on his latest start but his jockey appeared to be caught napping on that occasion and allowed him to come home, more or less, in his own time once his chance had gone. Despite that he was only beaten two lengths into seventh and gave every impression that he was the best horse in the race. He's bred to improve with age and his victory in the Tyros Stakes looks good with Jim Bolger being particularly bullish about Cuis Ghaire's chances on Sunday. Jim Bolger isn't represented by the Dewhurst winner but by Gam Amhras who finished runner-up in the Goffs Million on his final start. That form should not be underestimated and nor should his trainer's strength in depth; this fellow is bred for middle distances but the fact that the Coolcullen trainer should choose to fire just one arrow when his quiver is full looks significant. It's always significant when John Oxx arrives on these shores and he relies upon Sea The Stars who beat stablemate and Derby hope Mourayan in the Beresford Stakes in September. His siblings Galileo, Black Sam Bellamy and All Too Beautiful were all more stoutly bred than this Cape Cross colt who, nonetheless, is shorter for the Derby than this assignment. He's one for the short-list and could to be well drawn given his style of running. Delegator has to overcome the poor record of Craven winners if he's to land a first Classic for his trainer; that was a satisfactory prep race but told us little new about him. He was just in front of Rip Van Winkle in the Dewhurst when looking in need of the experience and has earnt his position at the head of the market. Evasive has been well touted despite a troubled preparation but there are stronger stayers in the field such as Cityscape who got caught flat-footed on his prep run. Ouqba is fairly exposed but could just be better than he showed last season as his yard was never really firing; he was impressive in the Free Handicap and has always been well thought of. Mastercraftsman cannot be ignored despite being overlooked by Murtagh as he may have been over the top when disappointing in the Jean-Luc Lagardere whilst the heavy ground may have reduced his effectiveness prior to that. He certainly looked good when accounting for Art Connoisseur on fast ground in July but we reckon that Murtagh has got it right and will be able to tell the grandchildren all about Rip Van Winkle.
Ashram (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to chase leaders, kept on final furlong, 6th of 13, 2l behind Intense Focus (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct.
Cityscape 10-3 (9-0) Raced centre until 3f out, held up, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner entering final furlong, always being held, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Vocalised (9-0) at Newbury 7f stks G3 (1) sft in Apr.
Delegator 4-6fav (8-12) Raced centre, held up in rear, switched left over 1f out, rapid headway to lead entering final furlong, soon clear and edged right inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr beating Sans Frontieres (8-12) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Evasive 15-2 (8-12) Leader, led over 3f out, shaken up and clear over 1f out, edged right, driven out and ran on well, won at Newbury 7f 2yo stks G3 (1) sft in Oct beating Bonnie Charlie (8-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Finjaan 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders until led halfway, headed over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 13, shd behind Intense Focus (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct.
Gan Amhras (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Always prominent, 4th approaching halfway, 2nd 2f out, soon challenged, every chance 1f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Soul City (9-0) at Curragh 7f auc stks 2yo gd in Sep.
Imperial Guest 20-1 (8-12) Raced centre, in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 28l behind Delegator (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Lord Shanakill (USA) 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, challenged entering final furlong, every chance final 100 yards, just failed, 2nd of 13, ns behind Intense Focus (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct.
Mastercraftsman (IRE) 4-9fav (8-13) Missed break, soon in touch, chased winner 1f out, no extra, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Naaqoos (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 7f 2yo stks G1 gs in Oct.
Monitor Closely (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, headway to chase winner over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged right, ran on, 2nd of 18, hd behind Nehaam (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo aut stk (2) gf in Apr.
Ocean's Minstrel 25-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon driven to lead, made rest, driven clear well over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Apr beating Deposer (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Ouqba 4-1 (8-9) Always prominent, led 2f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f lst hcp (1) gf in Apr beating Awinnersgame (8-11) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Pure Poetry (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Raced far side alone, close up, joined main group halfway, ridden over 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Delegator (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Rip Van Winkle (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Held up, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, never able to make challenge, 7th of 13, 2l behind Intense Focus (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct.
Sea The Stars (IRE) 7-4 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd and headway early straight, challenged 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Curragh 1m 2yo Grp 2 gd in Sep beating Mourayan (9-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
On Our Way 11-10fav (8-13) Pressed leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4l behind Redwood (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
Zafisio (IRE) (8-13) 5th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Fame And Glory (8-13) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 2f stk in Nov.
