prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, lost 3rd entering final furlong, eased and weakened inside final furlong
led at steady pace, headed over 5f out, ridden and over 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on same pace entering final furlong
midfield, travelling well 3f out, soon ridden and headway to chase leader, every chance 2f out, soon sustained duel with rival, disputed lead entering final furlong, soon edged left and headed, no extra near finish
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, no impression over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger
took keen hold, held up in midfield, headway to lead over 5f out, raced alone in middle, ridden over 2f out where 1 length ahead, soon edged left and sustained duel with rival, disputed lead entering final furlong, soon kept on and led outright, always doing enough, gamely
Only a neck separated COLTRANE and Trueshan when they finished 1-2 in this last year. The runner-up is 3lb better off and later reversed the form in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot. He’ll love the ground but Andrew Balding’s stayer had his old rival seven lengths adrift when winning the Sagaro at Ascot in May and may enjoy the upper hand again today having won the Lonsdale at York three weeks ago when Broome was a never-nearer fifth. The Grand Visir was third in this in 2020 but hasn’t won in more than four years while Sweet William steps out of handicap company with plenty to find on official ratings.
Coltrane (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Tracked leaders on inside, angled out over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at York 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug beating Courage Mon Ami (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Broome (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up mainly in last pair, pushed along and beaten 3f out, went moderate 5th final furlong, 5th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Coltrane (9-5) at York 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Sweet William (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Dwelt, soon in mid-division, smooth headway 4f out, pushed along and pressed leaders 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 22, 1/2l behind Absurde (9-7) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
The Grand Visir 11-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, led home turn, ridden and headed inside final 2f, chased leaders, plugged on in well held 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind The Very Man (9-6) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Trueshan (FR) Evensfav (9-9) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, gradually weakened, 4th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Coltrane (9-9) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 stks (1) gs in May.
