held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on but no chance with winner
keen, led, ran wide bend into straight over 8f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, smooth headway from 2f out, led on bit just inside final furlong, very easy
dwelt, in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on, never a factor
CHABAL has something to prove but if anywhere near his best he should take this ahead of Wigmore Hall and Champagne Style. Saeed Bin Suroor's Galileo colt lost a Sandown Group Three after a banned substance was found in his system and then flopped when favourite for the Dante at York. He has since swerved the option of the Irish Derby and although he has something to prove it is hard to see him losing if near his best. His main threat may be the progressive Wigmore Hall who was last seen winning the John Smith's Cup at York. His rating of 108 leaves him with a bit to find and he has something to prove in small fields, however his progress may not have stalled just yet. Brian Meehan has an excellent record when employing headgear for the first time on his horses and so Champagne Style is considered despite having plenty to prove after his Hampton Court flop at Royal Ascot when he fluffed his lines from an early stage. Cotton Mill sprang a surprise in a course and distance maiden and is obviously highly-thought-of however the form doesn't leap off the page despite the second, third and fourth all winning maidens since. Hanson'D has plenty to find on official ratings and he also has stamina to prove, whilst Ela Gonda Mou is tilting at windmills and looks booked for sixth spot on debut. This looks a soft opportunity for Chabal to get back to winning ways.
Chabal (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Raced in last place of the pace, pushed along over 4f out, ridden 3f out, beaten 2f out, eased final furlong, 4th of 5, 20l behind Cape Blanco (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Champagne Style (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Very awkward pulled hard, held up towards rear, hung left unsteerable and hampered rivals over 8f out, virtually pulled up final 3f, last of 15, 26l behind Afsare (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Cotton Mill 66-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead towards finish, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (3) gf in Jul beating Nationalism (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hanson'd (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Soon pushed along to chase leader until over 5f out, stayed close up until lost place over 3f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 6, 6l behind Oasis Dancer (8-12) at Newbury 7f con stks (3) gd in Jul.
Wigmore Hall (IRE) 5-1 (8-1) Dwelt, held up towards rear, driven and headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right under pressure, held on gamely, won at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gf in Jul beating Kings Gambit (9-5) by shd, 19 ran.
Ela Gonda Mou Where Or When filly out of Real Flame.
