mid-division, not much room when slightly hampered on bend over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders
switched right start, took keen hold in mid-division, chased leaders after 3f, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon tailed off
behind, not much room over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to chase winnner inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
settled in rear, always behind, ridden over 4f out, no chance final 3f, tailed off
held up mid-division, switched left over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed
slowly into stride, took keen hold. soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed and no extra over 1f out
mid-division, ridden when hampered bend over 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, prominent, chased leaders over 2f out, checked and went left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden when checked and went left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong not reached leaders
towards rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong
went right start, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, just held on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders, edged left over 1f out, staying on when snatched up close home
slowly into stride, always behind
steadied start, settled in rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, not troubled leaders
bump start, always rear group, tailed off final 2f
held up behind, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
always behind, never a factor
Thunder Rock can give the Stoute stable another Royal winner, with Glistening, Balkan Knight, All That And More and Alfie Noakes in with claims in an open-looking affair. This was to have been the target for Signatory, and we would have looked no further for the winner had John Gosden's charge lined up, but in his absence the race takes on a much more open look, with only slight preference for Thunder Rock. Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old is relatively lightly-raced, having had just the four career outings to date. Successful on rain-softened ground at Yarmouth last year, he is much better when allowed to hear his hooves rattle, and judged on his promising reappearance third behind Wild Savaanah at Newmarket, he has the scope to stay well ahead of the handicapper. A little bird tells us that he is being aimed at York's John Smiths Magnet Cup at York next month, and victory here will certainly put him at the forefront in the betting for that competitive handicap. Thunder Rock's one-time stablemate Glistening has now joined Luca Cumani, and bids to turn Epsom form with Alfie Noakes around. There is probably more to come from this lightly-raced individual as well and he is seen as a threat. Balkan Knight has it to do under topweight but at least lines up in form, while All That And More was more than useful last year and indeed has also been in the winner's enclosure already this term. Kieren Fallon will have to work a bit from stall two to get Thunder Rock into a handy position, but he has a good horse underneath him and the son of King's Best should prove up to the task.
Balkan Knight 5-4fav (8-9) Tracked leader, always going well, shaken up to lead 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (3) gf beating Art Eyes (9-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Arturius (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, weakened 4f out, eased straight, tailed off, 16th of 17, well behind Mutakarrim (9-9) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp hvy in May.
Palomar (USA) 13-2 (9-9) Switched right soon after start, held up, came wide entering straight, headway on outside 2f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 15, 6l behind Toldo (8-4) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
All That And More (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 1f out, 5th and beaten when lost action and eased inside final furlong, 14th of 17, 14l behind Chancellor (8-3) at Epsom 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.
Glistening 8-1 (9-4) Behind, in touch and not clear run on rail over 2f out, stayed on, unable to challenge, 6th of 14, 3l behind Alfie Noakes (8-8) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Vengeance 11-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, not clear run from 2f out, effort when hampered 1f out, not recover, 8th of 14, 3l behind Alfie Noakes (8-8) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Chantaco (USA) 15-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway when not much room 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 7th of 17, 5l behind Chancellor (8-3) at Epsom 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.
Rehearsal 6-1 (8-9) Held up, smooth headway over 6f out, disputed lead over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Akarem (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 4f lst hcp (1) gd in May.
Crow Wood 15-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 15l behind Soulacroix (10-6) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gf.
Consular 11-2 (8-11) Held up, chased leaders 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, edged right 1f out, joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Alfie Noakes (8-8) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Polygonal (FR) 50-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division on outside, ridden and struggling over 2f out, 12th of 17, 11l behind Chancellor (8-3) at Epsom 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.
Bravo Maestro (USA) 33-1 (8-8) Behind until ridden, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 17, 1 1/2l behind Chantaco (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Young Mick 6-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden 3f out, no impression, 6th of 13, 7l behind Fairmile (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 9-4fav (8-6) Dwelt, stumbled start, held up, pushed along halfway, headway and switched right over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra near finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Wild Savannah (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Temple Place (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Steadied and switched left start, held up, ridden and headway when switched right over 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 14, 5l behind Divine Gift (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcap (2) gf in May.
Obrigado (USA) 5-1co-fav (9-0) In touch on inner, chased leaders over 1f out, switched right and effort entering final furlong, kept on, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Fairmile (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Pagan Sword 17-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 4l behind Inchloch (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Alfie Noakes 12-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, plenty to do 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead last strides, won at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Gavroche (9-7) by a nk, 14 ran.
Cruise Director 3-1 (8-11) Held up 5th, ridden over 3f out, outpaced final 2f, 4th of 6, 6l behind Solent (8-13) at Newbury 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in May.
