slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, no impression on winner
held up, headway over 2f out, carried right entering straight, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well
led, headed over 7f out, prominent, drifted right from entering straight, weakened inside final furlong
broke well, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken when carried right entering straight, no impression
prominent, led over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
AESOP'S FABLES looked in need of the race at Ascot on his return from a sizeable absence and with Godolphin often using this race as a springboard to future targets, the previous Group 1 winner can take full advantage of a massive drop in class. Trade Commissioner wasn't disgraced in the Royal Hunt Cup and he's worthy of a tilt at this prize. Less certain is whether he is able to cope with the vagaries of racing in a field of this size. Gabrial has to carry a 4lb penalty for his victory in this year's Doncaster Mile and that won't make life easy. Mont Ras is a previous course and distance winner while Arsaadi missed an engagement at Ascot on Friday and is no certainty to get an uncontested lead.
Gabrial (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, effort on wide outside and kept on inside final furlong, never near to challenge, 5th of 11, 5l behind Aljamaaheer (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gf.
Aesop's Fables (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 11, 8l behind Aljamaaheer (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gf.
Fire Ship (9-1) 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Pinturicchio (8-11) at Nantes(FR) 1m stks gs.
Mont Ras (IRE) 5-2fav (10-0) Led early, tracked leader, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf beating Kingscroft (9-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
Storm King 9-2fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun beating Kakatosi (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Trade Commissioner (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Raced far side, in touch in 5th, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 28, 2l behind Belgian Bill (8-11) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Arsaadi (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Galician (9-7) at Newbury 1m fll hcp (2) gf.
Bronze Prince 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leading trio on outside, went 3rd 4f out, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, outpaced to 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 10, 2l behind Head Of Steam (8-8) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Ebn Arab (USA) 50-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 20th of 27, 12l behind Roca Tumu (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
