in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, driven along halfway, never a factor
dwelt and behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, some late headway but was never near to challenge
mid-division, pushed along halfway, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, chased along over 3f out, effort over 2f out, soon behind
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong
in touch and hampered after 100 yards, held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, smooth progress to lead over 1f out, driven out final furlong
A really competitive renewal of the Group One Queen Anne Stakes and the narrow vote is given to Michael Jarvis's Rakti, with Akimbo, Hurricane Alan, Starcraft and Valixir others on the shortlist. The selection had both Hurricane Alan and Mac Love behind him when he won the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in imperious fashion, breaking the course record in the process. That wasn't the strongest of Group One races but he couldn't have been more impressive, and he has already won a Group One over a turning mile, so with ground conditions to suit he looks the one to beat. Hurricane Alan got outpaced behind our selection last time but he was doing his best work at the finish and may be capable of getting closer than he did that day, although strictly on the book he is well-held by Rakti. Mac Love finished between Rakti and Hurricane Alan at Newbury and he is improving all the time. However, he ran better than expected last time and he will have to do so again here if he is to land a serious blow in this heavyweight contest. Akimbo is lightly raced and this 4-year-old from the Henry Cecil yard did win well at Yarmouth last time when beating Rowan Warning. He is clearly quite useful but this is a steep rise in class and this temperamental colt is probably best watched today. Valixir therefore may give the selection the most to do. He oozed class when winning the Prix d'Isapahan at Longchamp last time and really caught they eye when moving smoothly through the gears to get the better of the big Australian hope Elvstroem. He had earlier beat Bago in the Niel before disappointing in the Earl of Sefton, but goes well for today's pilot Christophe Soumillon and although he has in the past carried his head a little high under pressure, he looks to have a leading chance here. Starcraft ran well in a Group One contest at Moonee Valley last time and he has shown a consistent level of form Down Under, so he is another with claims. Martillo has run well in Group 2 company but may find this contest too hot, and for the winner we are happy to return to Rakti.
Martillo (GER) 11-1 (9-1) Held up, good headway 2f out, led final furlong, ran on well, won at Saint-Cloud 1m Grp 2 (1) gs in May beating Autumn Glory (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Valixir (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-2) Held up, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon led, stayed on strongly, won at Longchamp 1m 1f Grp 1 gd in May beating Elvstroem (9-2) by 2l, 8 ran.
