led after 1f, headed 12f out, tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
dwelt always in rear
tracked leader, led 12f out, made rest, ridden 2f out, idled and edged right througout final furlong, stayed on gamely
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to go 3rd over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, lost 3rd post
in touch, closed on leaders 5f out, wide into straight 3f out, headway to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held towards finish
close up, chased winner over 3f out until over 1f out, kept on one pace
close up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, never on terms with leaders
in rear, headway on inside 2f out, switched left approaching final furlong, ran on strongly to snatch 3rd post
led 1f, tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, kept on one pace final 2f
The stayers kick off an historic day in British racing with the outcome likely to revolve around the performance of Fame And Glory. The Ascot Gold Cup winner appeared set for a period of long-distance dominance after that impressive Royal meeting success but two subsequent sub-standard efforts cast a considerable shadow of doubt upon his chances here. In contrast, Opinion Poll, the Gold Cup runner-up has emerged as a paragon of consistency this term in top staying contests and seems sure to go well again for a Godolphin team ending the season with its customary flourish. However, let's take both on with TIMES UP, handled with masterly intelligence by John Dunlop. He has done nothing but improve with time and distance and was massively impressive at Newmarket over this trip last time. He may well be a leading candidate in top staying contests for some time to come.
Chiberta King 8-1 (9-6) Led and set good pace, driven and hung left over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no chance with winner but stayed on to hold 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Times Up (9-6) at Newmarket 2m Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Sep.
Darley Sun (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders and keen, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 17, 8l behind Overturn (8-13) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in May.
Fame And Glory 8-13fav (9-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, struggling from before straight, dropped to moderate 4th under 3f out, no extra, 4th of 6, 23l behind Duncan (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep.
Nehaam 2-1fav (9-3) Held up in 5th, headway to 4th 4f out, pushed along 3f out, stayed on to 3rd over 1f out, kept on pressing for 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Times Up (9-6) at Newmarket 2m Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Sep.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 11-8fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed last 150 yards, no extra, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Saddler's Rock (8-1) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Times Up 9-4 (9-6) Held up in 6th, smooth headway on outside 3f out, went 2nd travelling well over 2f out, led on bit approaching final furlong, soon pushed clear, very easily (new course record), won at Newmarket 2m Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Sep beating Chiberta King (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Motrice 9-2 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Saddler's Rock (8-1) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Polly's Mark (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Meeznah (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 2 flls (1) gd in Sep.
Colour Vision (FR) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division in touch, headway over 3f out, soon chased winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, edged right under pressure inside final furlong, held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 33, 2l behind Never Can Tell (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Eternal Heart (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Set steady pace, increased pace 8f out, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind Barbican (9-0) at Ascot 1m 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Sep.
