raced wide close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and hung left and headed briefly inside final furlong, ran on
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
raced wide held up, pushed along 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up, headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
slow into stride always in rear
close up, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong when hung left, no extra close home
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
TOO DARN HOT (NAP) got outstayed by Telecaster in the Dante and was then forced to steer a wide course in the Irish 2,000 Guineas just nine days later. Phoenix Of Spain won easily at the Curragh but had the best draw and the run of the race. Charlie Hills’ colt may not get his own way out in front here and it shouldn’t be forgotten that the selection beat him easily in last year’s Dewhurst. John Gosden sent out the winner of this last year and Frankie has ridden the winner in two of the last three years – he has chosen his mount ahead of the improving King Of Comedy. The Ballydoyle trio don’t look up to the required standard but Skardu finished third in the Qipco 2000 Guineas before finishing fourth in the Irish equivalent while Shaman found only one too good in the French 2,000 Guineas. Fox Champion improves with every outing and chases a five-timer but this is by far his toughest task to date. Royal Marine was a very smart juvenile but looks held on several form-lines this season.
Bell Rock 11-2 (9-0) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5 1/2l behind King Of Comedy (9-0) at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) gd in May.
Circus Maximus (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Stumbled start, tracked leaders, ridden and effort to challenge when carried slightly left over 2f out, soon one pace, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Fox Champion (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) won at Cologne 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in May beating Arctic Sound (9-2) by nk, 11 ran.
King Of Comedy (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Fractious and led to post, pushed along briefly then raced keenly tracking leaders in 5th, switched off rail over 5f out, steady headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) gd in May beating Roseman (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Phoenix Of Spain (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and asserted over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May beating Too Darn Hot (9-0) by 3l, 14 ran.
Royal Marine (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 19, 16 1/2l behind Magna Grecia (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in May.
Shaman (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 12, 1l behind Persian King (9-2) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 stks gs in May.
Skardu 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders on far rail, 6th halfway, some headway 3f out and ridden over 2f out, no impression in 3rd from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Phoenix Of Spain (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
The Irish Rover (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Towards rear, niggled along halfway, short of room and hampered over 1f out, kept on same pace, never a factor, 9th of 10, 8 3/4l behind So Perfect (9-0) at Naas 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
Too Darn Hot 6-4jfav (9-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and some headway 2f out, 2nd and no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Phoenix Of Spain (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Van Beethoven (CAN) 66-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along in rear of mid-division over 2f out, 9th and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Phoenix Of Spain (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
