tracked leaders on inside, 2nd going well 3f out, led entering final 2f, soon clear and edged right, stayed on strongly
tracked leader until pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
raced keenly in last pair, pushed along 4f out, soon struggling and no chance
held up in mid-division, good headway tracking leaders 3f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, in rear, late headway into modest 3rd inside final furlong, never any chance with winner
led, steadied pace approaching halfway, ridden and headed entering final 2f, no chance with winner when lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened into 4th inside final furlong
raced keenly tracking leaders out wide, ridden hung right and weakened 2f out
held up in last trio, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and no impression in 5th over 1f out
Alounak finished ahead of Wells Farhh Go and Alignak when runner-up in a Listed race at Chester three weeks ago and should come out top of that trio again today. Hukum is the form pick on wins this year at York and Newbury but breathing issues were reported after he failed to complete the hat-trick at Kempton and it would be no surprise if ILAARAB reversed running in the Hardwicke Stakes here in June. William Haggas’ colt was clearly below par that day but was more like his old self at Newbury last month when the going was quicker than ideal. Title bolted up in a handicap at Doncaster last month and has form at this level so looks a threat to all.
Hukum (IRE) 3-10fav (9-8) Tracked leader, travelled strong to lead before 2f out, ridden inside 2f, every chance final furlong and headed final strides, 2nd of 5, nk behind Hamish (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Sep.
Alignak 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Invite (8-4) at Chester 1m 4f lst stks (1) gs in Sep.
Alounak (FR) 9-4fav (9-3) Close up, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Invite (8-4) at Chester 1m 4f lst stks (1) gs in Sep.
Eagles By Day (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Steadied start, in rear, never a factor, 5th of 6, 10 1/2l behind Stradivarius (9-8) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Sep.
Ilaraab (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, closed 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on and close up entering final furlong, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Solid Stone (9-6) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Quickthorn 7-4 (9-9) Ducked right as tape rose and lost at least 10 lengths, closer 10f out, chased leaders out wide 4f out, ridden to lead and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Salisbury 1m 6f stks (2) gd in Sep beating Berkshire Rocco (9-5) by 2l, 4 ran.
Wells Farhh Go (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Invite (8-4) at Chester 1m 4f lst stks (1) gs in Sep.
Title (IRE) 11-10fav (9-7) Held up in 5th, smooth headway on inside 4f out, led on bit 3f out, stayed on strongly, clear when ridden and carried head high over 1f out, very easily, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Sep beating Cardano (9-9) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
