tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, pushed out and ran on strongly
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch in rear, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
in touch towards rear, pushed along and slightly outpaced over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression
rider removed hood late and slowly away, soon recovered to track leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
The front-running Odeon's run behind The Grey Gatsby in the Dante was a fine effort but he was quickly done with in the King Edward VII Stakes so it's a surprise to see him over this even longer trip. Bunker finished fifth in that Royal Ascot event but he's another who didn't look as though he stayed. The latter's stablemate Windshear has no problems with the distance having finished a close second to Elite Army in the King George V Handicap at the Royal meeting while Vent De Force has won twice over 1m6f, though both times on soft ground. The Queens Vase winner Hartnell had earlier finished runner-up in Lingfield's Derby Trial over 1m3f so today's trip may well be his optimum but the vote goes to FOREVER NOW, who can take this step up in grade in his stride after a very impressive victory at Doncaster last month.
Forever Now 8-13fav (8-12) Made all, clear over 1f out, eased heavily towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (4) gd in Jun beating Altaayil (8-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Hartnell 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, switched inside 6f out, led 2f out, ridden clear entering final furlong, hung badly final 75 yards, ran on, won at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun beating Century (9-3) by nk, 10 ran.
The Corsican (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader over 10f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong and always holding on, won at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jun beating Desert Snow (8-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Vent De Force 7-4fav (9-6) Held up, pushed along and headway 3f out, every chance from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jun beating Rite To Reign (8-10) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Windshear 4-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on until headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Elite Army (9-1) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Honor Bound 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, last and struggling over 3f out, tailed off, 16th of 17, 35l behind Taghrooda (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Odeon 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 3f out, headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 16l behind Eagle Top (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Bunker (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Raced wide close up, pushed along 4f out, effort and every chance entering final 2f, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 10l behind Eagle Top (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
