held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to chase leaders, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on inside final furlong
behind, ridden and headway from 2f out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up, some headway from 2f out, soon no impression
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away, held up in rear, effort 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway halfway, never on terms
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up, never dangerous
in touch, ridden and edged left under pressure inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
prominent, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, headway 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, led 2f out, soon edged left under pressure, headed near finish
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
The Bunbury Cup has never been the easiest race in which to pick the winner but we will give the tentative vote to Zaahid with both King's Apostle and Artimino worth noting. The selection was impressive when winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot back in May for which he runs off a six pound higher mark. His new mark still looks realistic and although this race is highly competitive, he has to be on the short list. King's Apostle was successful five times last season improving from an average handicapper to a horse nearing Group class. He always runs his race, although the handicapper may well have a grip of him at the moment so he is to be treated with caution. Artimino caught the eye when third at Doncaster on his seasonal reappearance. He is entitled to benefit for that and has every chance of landing himself in the first three. But for the winner we return to ZAAHID.
Racer Forever (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, driven out, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) frm in Jun beating King of Dixie (9-3) by a hd, 5 ran.
Lovelace 18-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, strong run to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, driven out, won at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gf beating Ace of Hearts (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Damika (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along from over 4f out, headway 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Haydock 6f stk (2) sft beating Advanced (8-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Smart Enough 25-1 (9-10) Dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 18l behind Capable Guest (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Capricorn Run (USA) 40-1 (9-7) Pressed leader, led 2f out until inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 6th of 27, 3l behind Big Timer (9-2) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf in Jun.
Diamond Tycoon (USA) 33-1 (9-8) Close up, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra, weakened final furlong, 7th of 29, 7l behind Mr Aviator (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Artimino 11-2 (9-1) Held up behind leaders, ridden along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Dhaular Dhar (8-1) at Doncaster 7f hcap (2) gd in May.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, edging left, kept on, 5th of 14, 2l behind Hitchens (9-1) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Raced far side in mid-division, headway over 1f out, led far side inside final furlong, always just held by near side group, 2nd of 28, 1/2l behind Regal Parade (8-6) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 0-105 (2) frm in Jun.
Royal Power (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Raced stand's side, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 14, 20l behind Redford (8-13) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Zaahid (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (8-11) Close up, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, held on gamely close home, won at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf in May beating Al Khaleej (9-3) by a nk, 22 ran.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Chased leaders far side to over 3f out, soon weakened, 22nd of 28, 16l behind Regal Parade (8-6) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 0-105 (2) frm in Jun.
Mine (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 10th of 22, 6l behind Zaahid (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf in May.
Little White Lie (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, 4th straight, led over 2f out, hard driven final furlong, held on gamely, won at Epsom 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun beating Unshakable (8-8) by a nk, 14 ran.
Hinton Admiral 14-1 (9-2) Led far side until headed 2f out, soon weakened, 23rd of 28, 17l behind Regal Parade (8-6) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 0-105 (2) frm in Jun.
Giganticus (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leader far side to over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 20th of 28, 11l behind Regal Parade (8-6) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 0-105 (2) frm in Jun.
Regal Parade 25-1 (8-6) Prominent on stands' side, overall leader over 1f out, ran on strongly, ridden out, won at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 0-105 (2) frm in Jun beating Dhaular Dhar (9-0) by 1/2l, 28 ran.
Mastership (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) In touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Musaalem (9-3) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
King's Apostle (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, 3rd of 27, 1/2l behind Big Timer (9-2) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf in Jun.
Pawan (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Always prominent travelling well, led 1f out, ran on, won at Warwick 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf beating Phantom Whisper (9-6) by 2l, 9 ran.
