chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, led well over 2f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, faded final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, headed enteringing final furlong, kept on
led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led entering final furlong, kept on well
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
behind, ridden and outpaced halfway, switched left well over 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong
in touch, faded final furlong
dwelt, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, hard ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
The three to note in this competitive Duke Of York Stakes are Les Arcs, Amadeus Wolf and Al Qasi with the tentative vote going to the last named. Al Qasi improved all of last year to warrant a go against Group company. He went from a horse rated in the seventies to a horse rated one hundred and seven. He won four times in handicap company last year and looked good in the process. This is a real step up in class but he has earned his chance and is one to note. Les Arcs won everything last season! He won twice at the Royal meeting at Ascot before ending the season with an emphatic win in the July Stakes at Newmarket. He did disappoint in Hong Kong thereafter but can be forgiven a poor run after a busy successfull season. He again was a horse that improved from being a good handicapper into a Group-One winner. He gets a penalty for that and could just be a little exposed this year as a consequence. Amadeus Wolf was placed in Group-One company last year when second to Reverence in the Nunthorpe and third to him in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. He again deserves to line up in this field and has to be respected once again. But for the winner we return to Al Qasi who never stopped improving last year and is now thrown in the deep end.
Les Arcs (USA) (9-0) Mid-division, effort 2f out, no impression, 7th of 16, 4l behind Takeover Target (9-0) at Nakayama 6f Grp 1 (1) frm in Oct.
Red Clubs (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) In touch, 5th halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 6l behind Desert Lord (9-11) at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 8l behind Sleeping Indian (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Al Qasi (IRE) 9-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, headway to lead just over 2f out, ridden and went clear final furlong, driven out, won at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Sept beating Burning Incense (8-12) by 2l, 16 ran.
Amadeus Wolf 6-1 (9-11) In touch, 6th and ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 14, 2l behind Desert Lord (9-11) at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Assertive 8-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Asset (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
Bond City (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and soon every chance, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Tax Free (8-13) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Prominent, pushed along halfway, led briefly over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Tax Free (9-10) at Thirsk 6f stk (3) frm in Apr.
Fonthill Road (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In rear, outpaced halfway, switched right 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Sierra Vista (8-9) at Haydock 6f stk (2) gd.
Gift Horse 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden and one pace from over 2f out, 10th of 14, 7l behind Desert Lord (9-11) at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Quito (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 5l behind Munaddam (9-7) at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) gd.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Raced stand's side group, slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 6f lst stk (1) gs in Mar beating Sierra Vista (8-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Soldier's Tale (USA) 4-1jt-fav (9-5) Raced stand side, chased leaders, edged left over 2f out, soon led stand side group, hard ridden entering final furlong, stayed on well, 4th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Pastoral Pursuits (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jul '05.
Steenberg (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up stand's side group, stayed on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 12, 11l behind Rising Shadow (9-5) at Newcastle 6f lst stk (1) gs in Mar.
Tabaret 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden halfway, edged left and kept on towards finish, 6th of 10, 3l behind Tax Free (8-13) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Conquest (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and not run on from over 1f out, last of 6, 22l behind Dutch Art (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Sept.
