keen early, close up, headway and switched left to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, asserted near near finish
keen close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression after
chased clear winner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression final furlong
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go a never nearer 3rd inside final furlong
Favourites have an appalling recent record in this contest and, conceding 7lb to his rivals and over a trip short of his best, it would be no surprise if Derby and Arc hero Workforce found a couple too good on his reappearance. Jan Vermeer has more than 11 lengths to find with Sir Michael Stoute's colt on Epsom form last year, however, while Cavalryman was more than seven lengths behind the top weight at Longchamp, though is probably better suited by this distance. Elusive Pimpernel has always been held in high regard but again disappointed at Newmarket last month, while Black Spirit has still to win over 1m2f after five attempts though was a long way in front of Afsare in the Gordon Richards Stakes over C&D last month. Poet would prefer softer ground, though did reverse earlier Newbury running with Distant Memories at Haydock in August but we fancy SIR PUTRA to go close at a big price. Roger Varian's five-year-old has two ways of running, as he proved when last in this 12 months ago and beaten at odds-on on his reappearance at Lingfield. But he's also capable of smart form at this level and wouldn't be far away if reproducing his close second to Twice Over over C&D in last year's Coral-Eclipse.
Workforce 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division, progress 3f out, challenged for lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct beating Nakayama Festa (9-4) by hd, 19 ran.
Afsare 10-3 (9-0) Held up last, headway on wide outside 3f out, chased leaders approaching 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 9l behind Kings Gambit (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Black Spirit (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Close up in 5th, tracked leading trio 7f out, headway on outside 3f out, chased winner approaching 2f out, soon edged briefly right, strong challenge inside final furlong, closed on wiiner close home, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Kings Gambit (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Cavalryman (9-4) 3rd of 9, 7l behind Rainbow Peak (9-4) at Milan(ITY) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Distant Memories (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, one pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Await The Dawn (9-3) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Elusive Pimpernel (USA) 2-1fav (8-12) Close up, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, pushed out to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ransom Note (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Jan Vermeer (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 9, 6l behind Behkabad (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jul.
Poet 10-3 (8-12) Led, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, no extra close home, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Indian Days (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Sri Putra 10-11fav (8-12) Tracked leader, joined leader over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 3, 3 1/2l behind Jet Away (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (3) gf.
