Verdict

Short-priced favourites have won the last four of these and AWAIT THE DAWN is likely to start odds-on for this. Aidan O'Brien's colt stepped up to 1m4f for the first time in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot where the soft ground was thought to be against him but he relished the conditions and looked a certain future Group 1 winner in the process. Stablemate Roderic O'Connor is already a winner at the highest grade having landed the Irish 1000 Guineas but he hasn't done as well in the Derbies at Chantilly and the Curragh subsequently. Midday and Twice Over represent Sir Henry Cecil and the pair are multiple winners at this level. The former, who loves the track, could just prove the better of the pair with her allowance and she looks a big threat to the likely favourite.

Formwatch

Await The Dawn (USA) 4-6fav (9-0) Held up mid-division in 5th, raced center until well over 3f out, raced far side, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Jun beating Harris Tweed (9-0) by 3l, 9 ran.

Twice Over 5-2 (9-5) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, led 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at York 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul beating Ransom Note (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.

Windsor Palace (IRE) 100-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed under 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 25l behind So You Think (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May.

Zafisio (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Prominent, moderate 2nd halfway, weakened early straight, eased final furlong, last of 8, 14l behind Steinbeck (9-1) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.

Midday 6-4fav (9-6) Tracked leading pair, challenged on outside 3f out, led 2f out, driven and edged left over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, won at Goodwood 1m 2f Group 1 fll stks (3yo+) (1) gf in Jul beating Snow Fairy (9-6) by 2l, 6 ran.

Roderic O'Connor (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along early straight, no threat from 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 10l behind Treasure Beach (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.