led for 2f, stayed tracking winner, ridden to challenge 3f out, weakened 2f out
close up, hard ridden over 2f out, stayed on at one pace to take 3rd inside final furlong
in touch, effort on inside 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, stayed on but no chance with winner
held up towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, plugged on final furlong, never going pace to challenge
mid-division, weakened quickly over 3f out, virtually pulled up final furlong, tailed off
held up in touch, hard ridden, hung right, no impression final 2f
mid-division, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten
held up, ridden and no headway final 3f
driven and no impression in rear 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, finished well but not reach leaders
held up in rear, staying on at one pace when hampered inside final furlong
held up towards rear, never in contention
mid-division, ridden and no headway final 2f
always behind, struggling final 3f, virtually pulled up final furlong, tailed off
led after 2f, made rest, hard pressed 3f out, driven and in command final furlong, stayed on strongly
slowly into stride, soon recovered to track leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Favourites have an awful record in this contest and we will oppose likely jolly Strategic Mount with King's Head, who gets the nod ahead of Gower Song and Nihal. The selection sports cheek pieces for the first time, which could assist him, but he is selected more for the likelihood that this step up to 1m 4f will be ideal. He has been running well in defeat over 10f and this extra quarter-mile can see him stay on and score. Strategic Mount already has proven stamina in abundance, having scored over both 12f and 14f just lately, but a 13lb rise in total for those successes will make this much tougher, although that is countered slightly by a nice racing weight and Eddie Ahern booked. Gower Song was found out in the Listed Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket last time and will find it hard to win this off this sort of mark, but has been in a rich vein of form and cannot be readily dismissed. Of the others Nihal held on well to pip Futun at York last time and comes from a yard going well, though a 5lb penalty won't help, and we take King's Head to score.
Baan (USA) 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no progress from over 2f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Papal Bull (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
King's Head (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, hung left under pressure, kept on, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Formal Decree (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Bandama (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace, not trouble winner, 3rd of 19, 5l behind Linas Selection (8-9) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Gower Song 8-1 (8-4) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 4th of 8, 2l behind Quenched (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gf in Jul.
Prowess (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Futun (9-7) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Magicalmysterytour (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Towards rear, 8th and progress entering straight, 6th and no impression from 1 1/2f out, 6th of 13, 5l behind Nick's Nikita (8-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 0-100 gd in Jul.
Ask 2-9fav (8-12) Soon led, headed after 2 furlongs, quickened to lead again over 1f out, ran on, won at Chepstow 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gs in Jun beating My Petra (8-8) by 7l, 8 ran.
Lake Poet (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, never on terms, 6th of 14, 4l behind Formal Decree (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
London Express (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (8-6) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, effort over 2f out, soon no chance with winner, kept on under pressure and held on for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Road To Love (8-9) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Enjoy The Moment 50-1 (8-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, but no chance with winner, 2nd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Linas Selection (8-9) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Kaylianni 11-4 (9-0) Chased leaders, driven to challenge 2f out, led just over 1f out, ran on, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun beating Garafena (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nihal (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Held up in touch, driven to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, drifted left under pressure inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul beating Futun (9-5) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Oh Glory Be (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Steadied start, held up last, good headway on rail from 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on strongly, won at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Dream Champion (8-3) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Strategic Mount 5-2 (9-2) Made all, clear over 3f out, pushed out, won at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Los Cabos (9-6) by 5l, 6 ran.
Gordonsville 13-2 (8-13) Held up behind leaders, ridden and headway over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, nk behind Belanak (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul.
Madroos 10-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4f, ridden to challenge 3f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 11, 5l behind Oh Glory Be (8-7) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun.
