quickly away, soon settled tracking leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, soon no impression and weakened
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, driven out
chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on same pace after
with leaders, led narrowly 3f out until 2f out, weakened quickly final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders
dwelt, soon recovered to chase leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
raced alone on stands side rail, well on terms with main group, looked to hold every chance from 2f out, kept on, not quite pace of leading duo in main group inside final furlong
in touch until ridden halfway, soon struggling in rear, eased when beaten final furlong
slight lead to 3f out, led again 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong but no impression under pressure
steadied srart, held up headway halfway, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
with leaders, every chance 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
A tricky start to the day can go to DINKUM DIAMOND ahead of Al Aasifh, Zebedee and Excel Bolt. Our pick landed a few bets when winning a fair Salisbury maiden on debut before following up at Sandown. The stiff finish there suggested he'll have no problem with this step up in distance and the form of the race looks strong with a previously unbeaten Hannon horse in behind along with a horse of Chapple-Hyam's called Forghorn Leghorn, who went on to run a good race behind Dubawi Gold at Epsom. Strict reading of that form puts our selection in front of the Dods runner, although it has to be said he looked ill at ease on the Downs and should improve, but perhaps not enough to trouble Dinkum Diamond. With that in mind Al Aasifh may prove the biggest danger, providing this race doesn't come too soon for him. The son of Invicible Spirit looked one to keep on the right side when bolting up at Haydock on his second start a week ago, barely breaking a sweat, and remains a horse of immense potential. Saeed Bin Suroor has his string flying and he looks primed to run well. Zebedee must be respected as the sole Richard Hannon representative but he will probably need to have improved from his last run. That was here at Ascot which will serve him well and the extra furlong isn't expected to pose a problem but he was workmanlike in victory and doesn't look one of the yard's leading juveniles. Excel Bolt seems sure to improve for the sixth furlong having been off the bridle from some way out at Musselburgh last time. This is a marked step up in grade and he needs to find improvement but of all those stepping up in trip he does look the one most likely to benefit so has to be considered. The first-time-visored Emperor Hadrian has gradually improved with racing and is versatile in terms of ground conditions but again he doesn't look a star and along with Approve, who was behind Dubawi Gold last time, is omitted from calculations. Peter Chapple-Hyam should know where he stands with most of these through Foghorn Leghorn and has won this in both 2006 and 2007 so Little Lion Man is of more interest than a winner of an ordinary Leicester maiden normally would be; he impressed paddock watchers that day and was thoroughly professional in his display. Reckless Reward looks the second-string and has work to do with Dinkum Diamond who gets our vote to land the opener.
Al Aasifh (IRE) 2-5fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, squeezed through on inside 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs beating Falkland Flyer (9-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
Approve (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up and behind, switched left to inside rail 4f out, headway on inner and hanging left on camber over 2f out, continued to hang left and kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind High Award (9-0) at Epsom Downs 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf.
Arctic Feeling (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) With leaders, challenged over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Bathwick Bear (9-0) at Thirsk 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gd in Apr.
Black Moth (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Made vitually all, ridden over 1f out, edged left and faltered inside final furlong, ran on, won at Bath 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Postscript (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dinkum Diamond (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders on outer, shaken up and quickened to lead just over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in May beating Chilworth Lad (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Dubawi Gold 5-2fav (9-0) Pulled hard, chased leaders on outside, awkward on camber 4f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind High Award (9-0) at Epsom Downs 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf.
Emperor Hadrian (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Settled out of stalls and soon switched left, 7th halfway, progress on far rail into 4th 2f out, ridden to lead just under 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Navan 6f 2yo mdn gf beating Mr Man In The Moon (9-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Excel Bolt 4-6fav (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to regain lead post, won at Musselburgh 5f 2yo stks (2) gf beating Cocktail Charlie (9-0) by shd, 7 ran.
Little Lion Man Evensfav (9-3) Restless stalls, dwelt, tracked leaders, effort on inside 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear, won at Leicester 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in May beating Zarazar (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Reckless Reward (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Chased leader, challenged 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in May beating Stunning In Purple (8-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Stone Of Folca 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Marine Commando (9-3) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd.
Zebedee 2-7fav (9-1) Keen hold early, soon held up tracking leaders, looking for room 2f out, switched left to stand rail soon after, quickened to challenge over 1f out, led entering final furlong, shaken up and quickened right away, won at Ascot 5f 2yo stks (3) gd in Apr beating Saucy Buck (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
