held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never near to challenge
in touch, led after 6f, headed over 5f out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner final furlong
led, headed after 6f, remained in touch, led over 5f out, driven out final 2f
mid-division, steady progress over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind leaders, reminders over 5f out, weakened, eased over 2f out
held up behind leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened, eased over 2f out
An usually small field for the Queen Alexandra Stakes and it can go to Al Eile, who gets the vote ahead of Royal Rebel, Dancing Bay and Cover Up. The Irish raider Al Eile has proven himself useful on the Flat and over hurdles, having won at Graded level twice at the Aintree Grand National meeting. He warmed up for this with a fourth to Vinnie Roe in a Listed event at Leopardstown and, with connections having aimed him at this, he will run a big race today. He was absent last year but Cover Up won at Royal Ascot in 2001, 2002 and 2003, the last two wins coming in this race. Much as he has raced only once since August 2003, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that his trainer could have got him right to win today. Being possibly the stronger of the Nicky Henderson pair, Dancing Bay gets a mention, and, much as he is not the force of old, the dual Ascot Gold Cup winner, Royal Rebel, has to be on the list of possibles for this contest. Overall, though, we are happy to side with Al Eile.
Al Eile (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Held up, 8th approaching straight, 6th inside final furlong, ran on well close home, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Vinnie Roe (10-2) at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stk (1) gf in May.
Captain Miller 6-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, pushed up to track leader after 2f, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Establishment (8-4) at Goodwood 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Cover Up (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway into mid-division 2f out, soon hung right and no further progress, 9th of 16, 7l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Cruzspiel 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 16, 9l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Dancing Bay 7-2jt-fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Millenary (9-5) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Royal Rebel 33-1 (9-0) Not going well in rear, stayed on final furlong, no danger, 8th of 16, 6l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
High Kick 9-4 (9-10) Chased leaders, headway 4f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Glistening (8-5) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Sworn In (USA) 3-1fav (11-5) Keen in rear, stayed on passed by beaten horse final furlong, never troubled leaders, 10th of 21, 15l behind Hi Humpfree (11-1) at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr (N.Hunt).
Joshua's Bay 66-1 (9-0) Always well in rear, soon tailed off, virtually pulled up final 3f, last of 13, well behind Cover Up (9-3) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stk (B) frm in Jun '03.
Cambo (FR) 5-1jt-fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, 12th of 13, 21l behind Efrhina (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in May.
