keen early and soon prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
behind and soon driven to keep in touch, effort over 2f out, no impression
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on
led until over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, hard driven to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in touch, under presssure over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place well over 2f out
Withdrawn
A fascinating contest in which IMBONGI has decent claims of keeping this prize in South Africa with Aqlaam and perennial Ascot challenger Cesare possibly his biggest dangers. The market suggested that Mike De Kock's charge was expected to need the run ahead of his reappearance at Newmarket as he drifted alarmingly. However, that proved to be well wide of the mark as he ran out a comfortable winner and that should have put this multiple Group winner spot on for his attempt to follow in the footsteps of Archipenko. Aqlaam has long been held in the highest regard by his handler but he hasn't been the easiest to train and he needs to win one of this sooner rather than later. In fairness he ran a blinder when a half length third behind Paco Boy and Cesare in the Queen Anne Stakes and has leading claims. Cesare's performance came on ground a shade faster than ideal so the recent inclement weather will have delighted connections. He's made the frame on six of his nine visits here, winning four of them, and was third a year ago; he will do well to go two better. Confront disappointed at Sandown, Bushman has flattered to deceive, Ordnance Row doesn't look good enough and Perks is unlikely to have his optimum conditions. Dream Eater has ability but has been held by all of the principals on his last two starts and has been a little wayward on occasion so is difficult to recommend. Without A Prayer is of more interest having shown good tactical pace at Windsor and he doesn't have too much to find in order to go close but this is a step up in class and there should also be improvement to come from Imbongi.
Aqlaam 10-1 (9-0) Switched left start, took keen hold, raced alone on stand's rail over 2f, mostly disputed 2nd after, closed up 3f out, every chance 2f out, not pace of winner final furlong, kept on to press for 2nd, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Cesare 11-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, swift progress on rails to lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, not pace of winner final furlong, kept on gamely to hold 2nd, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Confront 3-1 (9-5) Took keen hold early, soon steadied behind leaders, progress on outside 3f out, chased leading pair 2f out, ridden to dispute well held 2nd over 1f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 7, 7l behind Kirklees (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd.
Dream Eater (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Imbongi (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
Imbongi (SAF) 8-1 (9-3) Prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun beating Huntdown (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Ordnance Row 3-1 (9-7) Led, set steady pace, pressed 2f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong and soon lost 2 places, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Without A Prayer (9-7) at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Without A Prayer (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leader 2f, stayed prominent, quicken to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Jun beating Premio Loco (9-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
Bushman 12-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept pressing leaders, no extra final 50 yards, 7th of 8, 3l behind Premio Loco (9-8) at Goodwood 1m Listed stks (1) gd in May.
Perks (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Soon in touch on inside, pushed along to track leader pair over 2f out until just inside final furlong, faded, 7th of 15, 5l behind Perfect Stride (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Listed hcp (1) gf in Jun.
