raced towards far side close up, led over 1f out, forged clear final furlong, impressive
close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish, never a factor
raced towards far side prominent, ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
taken to post early, raced towards far side close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace
always in rear, eased final furlong
raced towards far side held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
An excellent renewal featuring many of the usual suspects. Lethal Force might not be well drawn in stall one and could be forced to make a bee-line for the fair rail but his form this season is right out of the top drawer with victories in the Diamond Jubilee at Ascot and the July Cup at Newmarket. He was just collared by the brilliant Moonlight Cloud at Deauville last month when attempting to make all again but that was over a longer trip, an excuse for his defeat by Gordon Lord Byron at Longchamp last year. Clive Cox's grey is the one to beat again but this race has produced a few shock results down the years. Three-year-olds have won three of the last 11 and are well represented with Garswood, who won a Group 2 at Goodwood in July, and Reckless Abandon. The latter finished ahead of Heeraat, Swiss Spirit and Kingsgate Native in the King's Stand Stakes at Ascot and has won a Group 1 over this trip. Hamza is a speedy sort but looks held on several form lines and Slade Power disappointed at York and has a bit to prove now. REX IMPERATOR looks to have plenty to find on the form book but was an unlucky loser over an extra furlong at York last time having looked a progressive sprinter when easily landing the ultra-competitive Stewards' Cup at Goodwood. Connections have been praying for rain and conditions have turned in his favour so he could go close at generous odds as a few of his rivals will not appreciate the easier ground.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 4-9fav (9-9) Settled on inner and 6th halfway, ridden over 1f out and headway betwen horses to challenge inside final furlong, kept on under pressure to lead near line, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Ansgar (9-9) by nk, 7 ran.
Hamza (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Prominent on stands' rail, ridden to lead under 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Dutch Masterpiece (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Mid-division farside of centre group, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, 8th of 27, 4 1/2l behind Rex Imperator (9-4) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Heeraat (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Came towards stands side after 1f, led that trio, led overall over 1f out, ridden when hard pressed 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, won at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul beating Hamza (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Hoof It 12-1 (9-10) Raced near side, held up, pushed along halfway, driven and hung right over 1f out, no impression when slightly hampered and switched right inside final furlong, 13th of 20, 8l behind Baccarat (8-9) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Kavanagh (SAF) 11-2 (9-0) In touch, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 4l behind Tropics (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Aug.
Lethal Force (IRE) 5-2 (9-2) 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Moonlight Cloud (8-12) at Deauville(FR) 6f Grp 1 gd in Aug.
Rex Imperator 9-4fav (9-0) Took keen hold, soon tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed narrowly well inside final furlong, kept on, held when not much room towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Sirius Prospect (9-0) at York 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Aug.
Slade Power (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Rearing in stalls, always behind, eased when no chance inside final furlong, 15th of 17, 8l behind Jwala (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.
Soul (AUS) 11-2 (9-0) Dwelt, raced wide, soon close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 13l behind Hitchens (9-7) at Chester 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Aug.
Swiss Spirit 7-1 (9-11) Held up and behind, moderate progress inside final furlong, never involved, 12th of 17, 6l behind Jwala (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.
Garswood 9-4fav (8-9) Held up in last pair, pushed along and sustained progress on outside from over 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, driven ahead final 50 yards, won at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Jul beating Caspar Netscher (9-2) by nk, 10 ran.
Intense Pink 50-1 (9-1) Raced centre, held up towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 18, 9l behind Lethal Force (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Kingsgate Native (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 2 1/4l behind Jwala (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.
Tiddliwinks 80-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 9th of 17, 5l behind Jwala (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.
Reckless Abandon 4-1 (8-12) Prominent, led halfway, soon hung left, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 19, 2 1/4l behind Sole Power (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
