in touch, headway halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon edged left, headed inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced towards centre close up, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, just held
close up in centre, weakened 2f out
towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
close up in centre, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
in touch in centre, ridden and every chance 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
dwelt in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
towards rear, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
This looks very much up for grabs but the Irish are mounting a strong challenge led by Curragh Listed winner Brother Bear, who should again beat U S Navy Flag and Aqabah. William Buick prefers the latter to York winner Zaman, however. Aidan O’Brien has trained the winner in three of the last six renewals and has won this Group 2 eight times in total so Murillo is much respected having put a poor debut behind him when successful by three lengths at Tipperary. Romanised’s win in a big field at Navan in April has worked out well while Denaar won again at Newbury, despite the ground. De Bruyne Horse won the Woodcote at Epsom but winners of that race have a poor record here. Wesley Ward’s two-year-olds here always warrant respect but Arawak looked no superstar at Belmont last month and the extra furlong could prove troublesome. Charlie Hills has a couple of entries and we’re keen on RED ROMAN, who finished well ahead of De Bruyne Horse on debut despite running green. He easily beat a subsequent winner over this trip at Newmarket subsequently and should be a working man’s price.
Aqabah (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Held up, 6th halfway and pushed along, improved to chase winner inside final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Brother Bear (9-3) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in May.
Arawak (USA) 2-5fav (8-7) Dueled 3-2w, went clr, won at Belmont Park 5f mdn fm in May beating Rudy's Boy (8-7) by shd, 8 ran.
Brother Bear (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) A little keen early, prominent, soon 2nd, travelling smoothly until pushed along to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong and asserted closing stages, won at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in May beating Would Be King (9-3) by 3l, 7 ran.
Chookie Dunedin 10-1 (9-2) Made all, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ayr 6f stks (4) gd in May beating Bustam (9-2) by hd, 11 ran.
Connery (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Pressed leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Magic Applause (9-0) at Lingfield 5f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
De Bruyne Horse 13-8fav (9-5) Dwelt, recovered to chase leader after 1f, pushed along edging left on camber from after halfway, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Epsom 6f stks (2) gd in Jun beating Cardsharp (9-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Denaar (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Always prominent, led over 2f out, hard ridden when pressed over 1f out, ran on well closing stages, won at Newbury 6f stks (2) sft in May beating Starlight Mystery (9-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Haddaf (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Close up in rear, ridden halfway, headway inside final furlong when edged right, ran on, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Havana Grey (9-3) at Sandown 5f lst stks (1) gf in May.
Headway 4-5fav (9-5) Close up, headway on outer over 1f out, soon edged left and led approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Chester 6f mdn stks (2) gf in May beating Knockout Blow (9-5) by 3l, 9 ran.
Ivy Leaguer 50-1 (9-2) Took keen hold early, held up, never on terms, 8th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Buridan (9-2) at Windsor 6f stks (4) gf in Jun.
Murillo (USA) 7-4 (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along and progress 1f out, led over 100 yards out, stayed on well, won at Tipperary 5f mdn gf in May beating Wolfofbaggotstreet (9-5) by 3l, 6 ran.
Nebo (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Newbury 6f mdn stks (4) sft in May beating Westerland (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Prince of The Dark 7-4fav (9-2) Dwelt, soon close up, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Bath 6f stks (3) fm in May beating Last Page (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Rajasinghe (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 6f stks (4) pol in May beating Indomeneo (9-2) by 4l, 13 ran.
Red Roman 2-1fav (9-2) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Newmarket 6f stks (4) gs in May beating Initiative (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Romanised (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Mid-division, progress into 6th travelling well 2f out, short of room briefly 1 1/2f out, switched to outer and pushed along over 1f out, went 2nd and ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Navan 6f mdn gd in Apr beating Brick By Brick (9-5) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
U S Navy Flag (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Brother Bear (9-3) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in May.
Zaman 2-1fav (9-2) With leaders, challenged over 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, kept on, won at York 6f stks (3) gd in May beating Royal Household (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
