behind, good headway and chased leader over 1f out, no impression, soon lost 2nd, kept on one pace
in touch, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, gradually weakened
in touch, chased leaders and effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
led, hard ridden over 2f out, kept on well and still clear over 1f out, no extra close home, caught near finish
steadied start, settled rear, headway and switched right over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
started slowly, held up in rear, headway from 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
close up, ridden over 2f out, no impression 2f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
behind mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders, weakened well over 1f out
close up to well over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened over 2f out
steadied start, settled rear, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, quickened well inside final furlong, led near finish, ridden out
behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never near to challenge
in touch, lost place 4f out, soon well behind, kept on again final furlong, never dangerous
prominent, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out
The last favourite to win this race was Mozart in 2001 and so we are inclined to side against the likely favourite Gallagher and instead plump for DONATIVUM to put Godolphin somewhere near the map, if not yet quite on it. The former John Gosden inmate was well-held on his first start for the 'Boys In Blue' when he was beaten by Alyarf at Newmarket. He looked there as if he was short of fitness and one can assume that he will have benefitted significantly from the run. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner progressed with every start last season and he can bounce back here with a win. Stablemate Ashram probably has a tough task under his penalty for a Group Three win last year, although it is interesting that a visor is tried and that Frankie Dettori rides. Deposer has been holding his own in Group races this season, whilst Infiraad is selected by Richard Hills out of a couple of options and this progressive son of Haafhd must be respected as he steps out of handicap company (left with little option following a 10lb rise for his latest win). Ouqba could have been the other one for Mr Hills; he was well-held in the 2000 Guineas but he wouldn't be the first horse to bounce back now reverting to seven furlongs. Total Gallery, Saucy Brown and Patrician's Glory might just lack the class, whilst Nasri missed the kick last time at Epsom and was always playing catch up. The more interesting runners include Awinnersgame whose trainer has a good record when trying first-time headgear on horses, and also Aranel. His trainer won with his only other runner here and it would be unwise to rule him out although his form is hard to weigh up. Loch Linnhe romped home on his debut at Newmarket which was visually impressive but the second probably ran below par; it won't pay to get too excited but one cannot really crab a debut like that and he won't be far away. Gallagher is an obvious player on his seasonal return but his pedigree is chocked-full of speed and he is trying this trip for the first time so is taken on. Ocean's Minstrel won his own Derby at Epsom and this looks harder, whilst Instalment needs to improve but may well do so. Terrific fayre in store, and it is Donativum who can show his class.
Ashram (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to track leaders, headway on inside rail 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, no impression on winner afterwards, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Border Patrol (9-3) at Sandown 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Aranel (IRE) (8-13) won at La Zarzuela(SPA) 1m 3yo stk gd in May beating Talismanix (8-13) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Awinnersgame (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Held up in touch and keen, switched left before halfway, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Danehill Destiny (8-9) at Haydock 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Deposer (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, led, pushed along from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quickened inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Mac Love (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m stks (1) gd.
Donativum 13-8fav (9-4) Held up in touch, raced keenly and soon prominent, effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Alyarf (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo lst stks (1) gf in May.
Gallagher 13-2 (8-12) Chased leaders in main group, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 5l behind Bushranger (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo stks G1 (1) gf in Oct.
Infiraad 10-11fav (8-10) Made all, ridden and hung right from over 2f out, ridden and soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May beating Firebet (8-8) by 4l, 6 ran.
Instalment 12-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, with leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed throughout final furlong, ran on gamely, won at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May beating Timeteam (8-7) by nk, 9 ran.
Jobe (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 8l behind Danehill Destiny (8-9) at Haydock 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Loch Linnhe (USA) 10-3 (9-3) Made all, quickened well overf 1f out, ran on well, impressive, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in May beating Seaway (9-3) by 8l, 7 ran.
Nasri 6-4fav (8-13) Held up in touch, 7th straight, driven along over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd entering final furlong, not pace of front pair, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Ocean's Minstrel (9-3) at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Ocean's Minstrel 8-1 (9-3) Made virtually all, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely throughout final furlong, driven out, won at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd beating Ermine And Velvet (8-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Ouqba 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, weakened final furlong, 11th of 15, 11l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 3yo (1) gf in May.
Patrician's Glory (USA) 7-2 (8-12) Raced far side, held up in main group, ridden and headway to chase winner over 1f, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Four Winds (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo stk (3) gf in May.
Saucy Brown (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Proclaim (8-10) at Doncaster 6f 3yo stk 0-95 (2) gf in May.
Total Gallery (IRE) 10-3 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Look Busy (9-1) at Haydock 5f stks (1) hvy in May.
