soon led, ridden over 2f out, edged right and headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
prominent, ridden over 4f out, lost place 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
held up in 5th, going well when held in briefly 3f out, improved 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right, clear inside final furlong, easily
led early, held up in 4th, improved 3f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on same pace, went 2nd towards finish, well held by winner
slowly into stride, held up in rear, detached 8f out, closed over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, lost place 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
Nonrunner
Drunken Sailor is the highest rated in this field but all his best form is with some cut in the ground. Polly's Mark is tough and consistent but none of her winning form has the word firm in the going description either and AKMAL could take advantage. He found only Asker Tau too good in the Sagaro Stakes last time and could take some pegging back here if Richard Hills is allowed to dictate matters from the front. Ship's Biscuit has only a maiden win to her name but she should come into her own this year and had Western Pearl behind when runner-up at Newmarket in September. Simenon and Apprimus are both looking for their first win since 2009 and it would be a surprise if either are good enough today.
Akmal 8-1 (9-1) Led, quickened 5f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on until headed and not pace of winner 1f out, stayed on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Askar Tau (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Apprimus (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed over 10f out, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression on leaders, 4th of 6, 2 3/4l behind The Betchworth Kid (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed stks (1) fm in Apr.
Drunken Sailor (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) 6th of 11, 8l behind Whispering Gallery (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Polly's Mark (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, stayed challenging gamely, just held close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Gertrude Bell (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) gd in Apr.
Ship's Biscuit 5-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and no impression 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Harris Tweed (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) sft in Sep.
Western Pearl 10-1 (8-8) Keen raced wide close up, headway to track winner 10f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 5l behind Baila Me (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f flls lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Simenon (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Led until 10f out, tracked leader, led again over 4f out, headed 2f out, chased winner until over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Investissement (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
