held up in mid-division, lost place on inner 3f out, headway and switched right to inside and not clear run inside final 2f to just over 1f out, kept on final furlong
raced wide in mid-division, hard ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
close up, pushed along 3f out, switched left over 2f out, led well over 1f out, held on well final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, effort on wide outside over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, hard ridden and no impression from 2f out
led to 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
dwelt, held up and behind, headway under pressure inside final 2f, kept on same pace final furlong
pressed leader, every chance 2f out, soon weakened
always in rear, tailed off final 4f
chased leaders, led 2f out to well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in mid-division, good headway from 2f out, chased winner from well over 1f out, strong challenge final furlong but always held
always in rear, tailed off final 4f
close up in 6th place, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace entering final furlong
in rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, ran on final furlong but never dangerous
chased leaders on inside, weakened quickly over 2f out
dwelt, held up in rear, some late headway final furlong, never near to challenge
Akshar taken out of the Royal Hunt Cup, can make the switch pay against some useful rivals such as stablemate Magnifico, Persian Lightning, Goblet Of Fire and Binary File. Sir Michael Stoute decided to withdraw Akshar from the Hunt Cup as he felt that the mile trip was on the short side. He could well be proved right here as three of Akshar's four wins have been over further, including when coming late to deny Danelor at Epsom last time. The Aga Khan-owned colt is coming on in leaps and bounds and is expected to make up into a Group-class performer by the autumn. Stablemate Magnifico has not been seen since beating Krugerrand at Newmarket last June, but would not be risked in such an event if he were not fit enough, and Kieren Fallon has the leg up. Persian Lightning has a good turn of foot and will not be far away, while Albuhera comes from a stable that is firing on all cylinders at present. Binary File has been placed in Group 2 company so he must not be overlooked despite topweight and Foreign Affairs is back on the same mark as when just touched off in the Ebor two years ago. Nadour Al Bahr is a course and distance scorer and Salim Toto was fancied last time but needed the run. They are all candidates for the frame, but so too is Goblet Of Fire who has been knocking on the door all season and is weighted to turn the tables on Nadour Al Bahr on their Windsor running. it should be a cracking contest, but Akshar can continue on the upgrade.
