mid division, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, one paced final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, went lame and eased over 1f out, pulled up
led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on, same pace final furlong
towards rear, effort over 2f out, never near to challenge
held up, mid division, steady progress over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on
mid division, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, pushed along 4f out, out paced final 2f
tracked leader, pushed along to lead 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
Green Line is taken to bounce back and beat Nuit Sombre and Muchea in a tight event on the Knavesmire. Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old, owned by the Queen, has been gelded since last season and looked set for a profitable campaign after returning with a victory at Chester in May. The Royal Hunt Cup was then put on the agenda but Stoute decided to go for the shorter Buckingham Palace handicap on the Royal card instead. The addition of cheekpieces was expected to be the final piece in the jigsaw but he seemed to fail to cope with the big field and was soundly beaten. He remains a horse of potential and his recent work has been exemplary, so he is taken to get back to winning ways under Pate Eddery. Muchea is drawn in his inside in stall four and will be suited by the step back in trip after finishing a never-nearer fourth over nine furlongs here last time. Nuit Sombre will make a bold bid, given his stable's fine record, and the way he overcame a wide draw to score at Sandown suggests that a small rise in the weights is not at all harsh. Other dangers to the selection include Cherished Number who will appreciate York's straight finish, but a shower or too would come in handy for him. Surprise Encounter is classy but is still paying the penalty for past performances, so it has to be Green Line in the 4:15.
