bumped start, soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong
held up, effort on outer over 2, no impression when hampered over 1f out
slightly hampered start and held up last, pushed along and switched to outer over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, not reached leaders
pulled hard, held up, headway and one pace when slightly hampered inside final furlong
held up, headway under pressure between horses over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leader to over 4f out, stayed prominent, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, held up, effort on outer over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, not pace of winner
chased leader over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
The most important race on the card can go to Quito, with Country Reel and Ashdown Express rated as his main dangers. The ever-dependable Quito is in the form of his life. He comes into this race on the back of a good York win and can be relied upon to run his race again. He also has recent form on his side as he meets Ashdown Express on the same terms as when beating him half-a-length in the Abernant Stakes in April, while Prince Aaron has two-and-a-quarter lengths to find on that form, and Patavellian has two-and-three-quarter lengths to make up. Baltic King looks as good as ever this season and he too is respected, while with their stable now in good form, Country Reel is a threat to all from the Godolphin camp. On official ratings, the likes of Celtic Mill, Forever Phoenix and Moonlight Man have a bit to find to score but Peter Paul Reubens was very progressive last season, although the feeling is that today's trip might just be on the short side for him now. Once again, then, for the winner we return to Quito.
Celtic Mill 15-2 (8-13) Led 4f, ridden and hung right final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 2l behind Avonbridge (9-5) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Prince Aaron (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Soon pushed along in rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 2l behind Avonbridge (9-5) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Quito (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden approaching final furlong, driven out, won at York 7f lst hcp (1) sft beating Blue Spinnaker (9-1) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Held up in rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on but held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Avonbridge (9-5) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Baltic King 10-1 (9-8) Raced far side, prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 30, nk behind Indian Trail (8-6) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Country Reel (USA) 11-1 (8-12) Led far side group, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Royal Millennium (9-2) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Moonlight Man 33-1 (8-13) Chased stands' side leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 10l behind Iffraaj (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) gd.
Patavellian (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride and behind, headway well over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furling, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind The Kiddykid (9-2) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) sft.
Peter Paul Rubens (USA) 13-8fav (8-12) Led 6f out, ridden 3l clear 3f out, driven and headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Mac Love (8-12) at Epsom 7f lst stk (A1) gf in Sept.
Forever Phoenix 8-1 (9-3) Led, headed 4f out, remained in touch, ridden, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Kind (9-7) at Nottingham 6f lst fll stk (1) gf.
Indian Steppes (FR) 16-1 (8-9) Tracked winner, effort 2f out, not pace to challenge from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 4l behind Horeion Directa (9-5) at Lingfield 1m lst stk (1) gs in Apr.
