keen, held up in rear, never near leaders
well in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd post, not reach winner
mid-division, ridden 4f out, not trouble leaders
in rear, kept on from 2f out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on near finish
held up, took closer order over 7f out to be in touch, effort 3f out, 3rd when slightly hampered over 1f out, stayed on
held up, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never on terms
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
switched right start, in rear, never near leaders
chased winner until ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked winner ridden and weakened 5f out
in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, lost 2nd post
tracked leaders, weakened 5f out
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, not clear run over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, effort 3f out, kept on same pace
always in rear
Kieren Fallon will have mixed memories from his exploits in previous renewals of the Ascot Stakes but he looks to have a solid partner in GHIMAAR, on whom he will bid to partner a third winner of this stayers event from the last 10 years; Perfect Shot and Woolfall Treasure are a couple of others with sound claims while Junior and Tyrrells Wood also have chances judged on the pick of their efforts. A betting move for Irish raider Rajik would also have some foundation, so Charlie Swan's gelding is yet another to bear in mind. However, leading jumps trainer Nicky Henderson has certainly found the key to unlocking the riches held by this type of race and, given the booking of the former champion jockey for the ride; he is leaving no stone unturned as he lays his plans. Fallon's patience in the saddle was seen to very good effect when he guided Cover Up and Riyadh to Ascot Stakes successes in 2001 & 2002 (respectively), quickly laying to rest any ghosts of the serious shoulder injury he sustained in the 2000 renewal of the race. And it's that ability to time and deliver that has made Fallon such a reliable man for the big day. Ghimaar has no doubts about his stamina and, as he has experience of the course from his time with Dermot Weld, the five-year-old is the perfect foil to further enhance Fallon's strike-rate today.
Unleashed (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Always behind, eased 2f out, last of 12, 41l behind Red Cadeaux (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Elyaadi 7-1 (10-7) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, headway in 8th 3f out, 5th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gf in May beating Essex (10-9) by 5l, 12 ran.
Tyrrells Wood (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, led 6f out, kicked on over 4f out, headed 3f out, chased winner after, kept on well, no impression over 1f out, 2nd of 19, 4l behind Sweetheart (8-1) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jul.
Rajik (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Soon settled in mid-division, ridden into 6th over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Vivacious Vivienne (8-5) at Curragh 1m 4f hcap gf in May.
Mister Green (FR) 20-1 (9-2) Dwelt, raced in rear, effort over 2f out, soon no impression, last of 5, 13l behind Bushman (9-2) at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Dayia (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Took keen hold in mid-division, lost place and dropped to rear 9f out, headway centre 3f out, stayed on from 2f out, led entering final furlong, edged left, held on, won at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May beating My Arch (8-8) by hd, 12 ran.
Ghimaar 7-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 11l behind Von Jawlensky (9-2) at Listowel 1m 4f cond Stakes in Sep.
Enjoy The Moment 66-1 (9-6) Dwelt, always behind, 30th of 32, well behind Darley Sun (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Perfect Shot (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Raced far side, in touch, ridden to lead and edged left over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May beating Mildoura (9-9) by 6l, 9 ran.
Colloquial 40-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 9l behind Ermyn Lodge (8-10) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Ocean's Minstrel 20-1 (9-5) Pushed along soon after start, towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 14, 12l behind Tartan Gigha (9-10) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Woolfall Treasure 9-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind It's A Date (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in May.
Callisto Moon 9-4fav (9-12) Tracked leading pair, headway to lead and increased tempo 9f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May beating Calculating (8-7) by 3l, 6 ran.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 9-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, ridden and weakening when hung left inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Dayia (8-10) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Lucky Punt 5-2fav (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, rallied approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Veloso (8-1) at Southwell 1m 4f 4yo hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in May.
Som Tala 12-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Mamlook (8-12) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
Junior 3-1fav (9-2) Soon well clear, eased 7f out, drew away again 4f out, driven out final furlong, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m hcap (3) pol in Jul '07 beating Whispering Death (9-1) by 3l, 9 ran.
Rangefinder 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, on terms before straight, dropped to 3rd under pressure over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 5l behind Vivacious Vivienne (8-5) at Curragh 1m 4f hcap gf in May.
Sleepy Hollow 12-1 (9-9) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Overturn (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Bon Spiel 100-1 (9-0) Always in rear, last of 13, 18l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Group 3 (1) pol in Mar.
