towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish
ponied to start, took keen hold in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
in touch, closed on leaders over 2f out, short of room and not clear run approaching final furlong, squeezed through entering final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, impressive
awkward and very slowly away, behind early, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon headed, stayed on
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
dwelt towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders
towards rear, effort 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on
It will be a brave punter who bets odds-on a horse who has never run over a straight mile and there will be plenty willing to take on ANIMAL KINGDOM but the fact is he's 10lb clear on official ratings and has the ability to race on any surface over a variety of trips. The 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, last year's Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up and this year's Dubai World Cup hero looks different class to these rivals, emphasised by his victory at Meydan where he put Red Cadeaux, rated 7lb lower at the time, firmly in his place and he's the automatic selection. Elusive Kate is next best on official figures but a line through Breeders' Cup Mile fourth Excelebration, who beat her twice last year, gives her plenty to find with the selection. Declaration Of War is very highly regarded at Ballydoyle and there were excuses made after his poor effort in the Lockinge, his first attempt at the highest level. The fact that he's in another Group 1 suggests very much better is expected though the evidence isn't there at present. Aljamaaheer finished in front of him at Newbury and can go well though it's difficult to imagine him beating a horse of Animal Kingdom's quality and Penitent, who was conceding 5lb to Gregorian and third-placed Gabrial in the Diomed, could snatch a place at a big price.
Aljamaaheer (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Farhh (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Animal Kingdom (USA) 11-2 (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar beating Red Cadeaux (9-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Chil The Kite 25-1 (9-0) Behind, hampered over 5f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 12, 9l behind Farhh (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Declaration Of War (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, edged right over 5f out, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 11l behind Farhh (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Gabrial (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Dwelt pushed along early, in rear, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Gregorian (9-5) at Epsom Downs 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Gregorian (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Tracked leader until over 3f out, tracked leaders, ridden to lead when hung left over 1f out, ran on, won at Epsom Downs 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in May beating Penitent (9-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Libranno 7-1 (9-5) Led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on and lost 3rd place close home, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Amarillo (9-0) at Haydock 7f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Monsieur Chevalier (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 6th of 8, 8l behind Amarillo (9-0) at Haydock 7f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Penitent 15-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and unable to quicken over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Gregorian (9-5) at Epsom Downs 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Sovereign Debt (IRE) 80-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, hampered over 5f out, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Farhh (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Trade Storm 4-1fav (9-0) 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Sajjhaa (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Trumpet Major (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, well behind Farhh (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Elusive Kate (USA) 11-2 (8-11) Led on rail, set steady pace until quickened 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd approaching final furlong, no impression but stayed on gamely to hold 3rd, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Excelebration (9-3) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
