took keen hold, held up in 6th, headway on outside over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon hung badly right, continued to hang right, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up in 4th, effort going well 3f out, every chance when badly hampered inside final 2f, kept on to 4th close home, not recover
tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, weakened soon after
tracked leader, pushed along to challenge just over 2f out, weakened final furlong
ran in snatches, held up 5th, headway towards inside over 3f out, every chance 2f out, chased leading pair after, no impression over 1f out, lost 3rd inside final furlong and 4th close home
held up in rear, headway on wide outside from 3f out, hung right just inside final 2f, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, driven out
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, hampered and pushed right inside final 2f, ridden switched left and headway over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong
led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
La De Two was impressive at York but with doubts over the track we will just side with REDWOOD ahead of Duncan and Cavalryman. Barry Hills has his runners in fair form and this High Chaparral colt displayed his well-being with a fine second to Sans Frontieres at Newmarket in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes. His previous form with Harbinger has obviously been franked handsomely and a bold bid is anticipated. Cavalryman takes a marked drop in grade having finished last in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. His third to Sea The Stars in the Arc stands him apart but his form this year has not been so strong and he is taken on despite dropping in class. Sri Putra ran a blinder when second to Twice Over in the Eclipse at Sandown and he should run well despite his penalty, whilst Duncan got to within four lengths of Harbinger in the Hardwicke Stakes and that effort puts him high on the shortlist. However it is disappointing that he hasn't been able to convert other easier opportunities since winning a Listed race at Ascot last May and therefore he is reluctantly passed over. Golden Sword was fifth in the 2009 Derby but his three runs in Meydan over the winter didn't really suggest that he has trained on and he needs to improve on this first start for Jane Chapple-Hyam. Kingdom Of Fife probably lacks the class to win this, La De Two is progressive but Emerging Artist didn't really frank his York form earlier in the week and he is yet to face a track anything like this, whilst Manighar drops in trip but steps up in grade. Whispering Gallery and Traffic Guard are both opposable on their recent Listed form and therefore we are happy to side with Redwood as the nomination.
Sri Putra 33-1 (9-7) Held up last, pushed along 3f out, switched left to outside and headway over 1f out, went narrow 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to close on idling winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Twice Over (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Duncan 8-1 (9-0) Steadied leaving stalls, held up last on inside, eased out and headway over 2f out, stayed on to 2nd over 1f out and kept on, no chance with winner, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Harbinger (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Golden Sword 20-1 (8-13) 14th of 16, 35l behind Dar Re Mi (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Mar.
Kingdom of Fife 5-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, headway towards far side inside final 4f, ridden and stayed on same pace from over 1f out, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 10, 5l behind Red Badge (8-7) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd.
Manighar (FR) 4-5fav (9-0) Keen, held up in touch, effort and edging right over 2f out, driven and hung right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind King Of Wands (9-0) at Sandown 2m Listed stks (1) gf.
Redwood 16-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sans Frontieres (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Traffic Guard (USA) 13-2 (9-5) Held up in 5th, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd under strong pressure 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on leading duo, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Stotsfold (9-11) at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gf.
Whispering Gallery 13-8fav (9-0) Led, headed 3f out, switched left over 1f out, rallied entering final furlong, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Laaheb (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Cavalryman 8-1 (9-0) Held up in 6th, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 25l behind Byword (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
La de Two (IRE) 3-1 (10-0) Went slightly left start, tracked leaders on inside, challenged over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear when edged left inside final furlong, ran on well, comfortably, won at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Emerging Artist (9-3) by 5l, 7 ran.
