raced keenly in 5th, went 4th over 3f out, soon under pressure, no impression over 2f out, weakened rapidly, eased final furlong, tailed off
tracked leader 5f, stayed prominent until weakened 3f out, tailed off final 2f
behind, headway to go 3rd over 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon disputed lead, every chance over 1f out, no extra, outpaced final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened quickly from 3f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off
behind in touch, ridden and lost touch over 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders 5f out, disputed lead over 4f out, ridden to lead just inside final 2f, pressed soon after, shaken up and drew clear final furlong, comfortably
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5f, ridden to dispute lead over 4f out, headed just inside final 2f, no extra, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway on inner from 3f out, kept on one pace, never nearer
behind, headway over 3f out, went 4th over 2f out, one pace afterwards, never troubled leaders
settled in rear, headway over 2f out, still plenty to do, stayed on to take 4th inside final furlong, never dangerous
YEATS and the unbeaten Coastal Path are the two to concentrate on in this year's Gold Cup and it is Aidan O'Brien's seven-year-old who is taken to complete a hat-trick of wins in this race. There is no disputing that Coastal Path is a horse of great potential and he has proven that he is not one to mess with. He stays well and was impressive when recording an effortless Group Two win at Longchamp recently. However this is a Group One and a top one at that and Yeats will prove hard to beat. A dual winner of this race, Yeats put up a solid display on his recent reappearance at Naas. This will have been his target and with the ground holding no fears (Coastal Path untested on anything like this), a third win is beckoning. The interesting horse against Yeats is Geordieland; second in this race last year, he was given a peach of a ride by Shane Kelly recently at York. He is not straightforward but he shouldn't be out of the places. Baddam is a course and distance winner, whilst Regal Flush and Sagara both have a bit to prove now stepped up in trip but they give Godolphin a fair chance of place money at least. Finalmente, South African raider Thundering Star and Allegretto - a talented yet quirky individual add more spice to the mix - however Yeats can retain his crown and take the match ball home.
Diamond Quest (SAF) 16-1 (8-11) Never in a challenging position, 9th of 11, 5l behind Gower Song (8-7) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) frm in Mar.
Finalmente 16-1 (9-2) Led, hard pressed from 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied under pressure and led again final strides, won at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in May beating Balkan Knight (9-2) by a hd, 8 ran.
Geordieland (FR) 13-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead post, won at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May beating Royal And Regal (8-12) by a hd, 8 ran.
Le Miracle (GER) (9-2) Started slowly, last throughout, well behind final 2f, last of 4, 19l behind Coastal Path (9-0) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) in May.
Thundering Star (SAF) 33-1 (9-7) Held up 4th, went 2nd halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened from 2f out, 7th of 8, 5l behind Finalmente (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Yeats (IRE) 4-6fav (9-8) Settled 2nd, challenged from 2 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well, won at Navan 1m 5f lst stk gs in Apr beating Red Moloney (9-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Coastal Path (9-0) Tracked leader 3f, went 2nd over 7f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) in May beating Orion Star (8-11) by 5l, 4 ran.
Regal Flush 2-1fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Samuel (9-0) at York 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in May.
Sagara (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Took keen hold early, always towards rear, last of 10, 15l behind Peppertree Lane (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd.
Allegretto (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Held up 5th, headway to chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 8, 6l behind Finalmente (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Baddam 12-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no headway 2f out, stayed on one pace, 9th of 18, 5l behind Missoula (9-0) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf.
