held up 4th, headway to chase winner well over 1f out, soon hung right, no impression final furlong, always well held
held up 3rd, ridden and led 2f out, quickened well, ran on strongly
tracked leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
held up last, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, never dangerous
held up 5th, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
soon led, set good pace, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A small but classy line up for the feature event of the afternoon and Sir Percy can get back on the winning trail, with Dylan Thomas, Manduro and Notnowcato providing some stern opposition. We must give credit to the connections of Sir Percy for keeping him in training as a four-year-old and he can reward them with another Group one success. The Derby hero hans't really enhanced his reputation since that epic victory, but he has had his training problems and when he has not really had his ground. However he is now reported to be back to his best and as long as there is no rain the ground conditions may well be in his favour. Dylan Thomas was just touched off by the selection in the Blue Riband and has been in great form since. His latest success came in the Group one Prix Ganay, form that entitles him to every respect in this event. The Ballydoyle star's only defeat this season however came at the hands of Notnowcato. There was only a head bewteen them and it is hard to choose bewteen them again this afternoon. Andre Fabre always has to be respected at this meeting and Manduro has already plundered one British prize this season, comfortably landing the Eral Of Sefton at Newmarket. This is a step up in class but there is any amount of improvement to come. Red Rocks is another progressive type and shouldn't be underestimated, but if Sir Percy is back to his best he will be a difficult horse to beat.
Dylan Thomas (IRE) 1-2fav (9-0) Settled 3rd, 4th halfway, improved into close 2nd and challenged 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, just failed, 2nd of 9, hd behind Notnowcato (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 gf in May.
Manduro (GER) (9-2) Raced in 3rd, pushed along to lead over 1f out, 3 lengths clear entering final furlong, easily, won at Longchamp 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) in May beating Turtle Bowl (9-2) by 5l, 5 ran.
Notnowcato 7-1 (9-0) Broke well, settled 2nd, challenged straight, led over 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, all out, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 gf in May beating Dylan Thomas (9-0) by a hd, 9 ran.
Pressing (IRE) (9-2) First to show, settled in 3rd, led over 2f out to inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Distant Way (9-2) at Capannelle 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Red Rocks (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Held up, switched to outside over 3f out, headway to challenge from 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Mashaahed (9-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
Sir Percy 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced and driven along on inside 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Scorpion (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Kandidate (9-0) Tracked leaders, disputed lead over 2f out, lost 2nd and weakened 120yds out, 5th of 13, 4l behind Shadow Gate (9-0) at Kranji 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
