ran 3rd, closer 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
soon led, 4 lengths advantage halfway, ridden and challenged 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong
ran 5th, pushed along approaching straight, in rear and no impression 3f out, no extra
ran 4th, ridden 3f out and no impression in 5th 2f out, kept on one pace, moderate 4th close home
in rear, ridden to go 4th 2f out, soon no impression and kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, closer 3f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace
Fame And Glory and Yeats have been dual winners for Aidan O'Brien while John Oxx has also won the race four times in the past ten years. Despite his defeat in the Arc, Leading Light did everything right last season with his four victories culminating in the St Leger. He's obviously going to be a leading player in the big staying races but with his yard under a bit of a cloud he might just need this and the concession of 8lb to PINK MIMOSA could be beyond him. Dermot Weld's mare hasn't had much racing and could only finish fourth to Royal Diamond in the Champion Stayers at Ascot with Saddler's Rock just behind but she came from a long way back in a slowly-run race that day and can take her revenge and make a winning reappearance. The remaining trio are all smart stayers but will need to find another gear.
Leading Light (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) 12th of 17, 13l behind Treve (8-8) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Royal Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Pulled hard and held up in mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, went 3rd and enough to do over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led post, won at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct beating Harris Tweed (9-7) by ns, 12 ran.
Saddler's Rock (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) 13th of 15, 7l behind Certerach (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Sir Ector (USA) 12-1 (9-6) Raced in 6th, ridden early straight and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Tarana (9-0) at Limerick 1m 4f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
Leah Claire (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Disputed 2nd and took keen hold early, 3rd 6f out, ridden over 2f out, 2nd 1f out, dropped to 3rd and inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Eye of The Storm (9-0) at Curragh 2m Listed stks (1) gf in Sep.
Pale Mimosa (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Switched right start and held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Royal Diamond (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Cosmic Cannonball (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in 3rd, ridden early straight and went 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind El Salvador (9-10) at Limerick 1m 4f stks hvy in Apr.
