dwelt, towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
slowly away in rear, never on terms
in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no threat
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
tracked leader early, tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt close up, headway to lead over 1f out, ran on
led, headed 5f out, led again entering final 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened quickly
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on one pace
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
A prolific Group 1 winner and high-class miler, PALACE PIER is difficult to oppose in the opener. He won the St James’s Palace Stakes over track and trip on this day last year and beat several of these when landing the Lockinge at Newbury last month. Order Of Australia beat last year’s winner Circus Maximus and the re-opposing Lope Y Fernandez when Aidan O’Brien trained the first three home in the Breeder’s Cup Mile in November and Ryan Moore’s mount may prove the main danger. Lord Glitters won this in 2019 and picked-up another Group 1 at Meydan back in March while 2018 winner Accidental Agent has his second start after wind surgery. Top Rank has plenty to find with the selection on running in the Lockinge while Regal Reality and Prince Eiji have something to prove at this level.
Accidental Agent 25-1 (10-1) In rear of far side group, ridden for effort over 2f out, progress over 1f out, kept on 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Ascension (9-3) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gs in May.
Bless Him (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Held up last, headway between horses over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Palace Pier (9-1) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Lope Y Fernandez (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Towards rear, switched right and ridden over 2f out, failed to pick up, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Palace Pier (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in May.
Lord Glitters (FR) 33-1 (9-0) Held up last of all, pushed along and headway over 2f out, further progress inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 4th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Palace Pier (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in May.
Order Of Australia (IRE) (8-13) 6th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Golden Sixty (9-0) at Sha Tin 1m Grp 1 in Dec.
Palace Pier 1-2fav (9-0) Held up in midfield, travelled smoothly over 3f out, switched right and led over 1f out, pushed out inside final 110 yards, never in danger, won at Newbury 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in May beating Lady Bowthorpe (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Pogo (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Prominent, under pressure and came under a drive over 2f out, soon lost position, lost further ground over 1f out, quickly weakened, 10th of 11, 31l behind Palace Pier (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in May.
Prince Eiji 8-1 (9-0) Went right leaving stalls, chased leaders, good headway to lead over 2f out, ridden and hung left 1f out, kept on well, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Oh This Is Us (9-0) at Ascot 1m lst stks (1) gf in Apr.
Regal Reality 17-2 (9-4) Slow into stride, in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Kameko (9-5) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Sir Busker (IRE) (8-13) 4th of 10, 4l behind Reshabar (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m lst stks sft in May.
Top Rank (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) In rear of mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, went clear 3rd over 1f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Palace Pier (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in May.
