held up in 5th, pushed along 3f out, one pace final 2f
led to 7f out, stayed prominent, driven 2f out, stayed on final furlong to press for 2nd near finish but no chance with winner
close up, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 2f out, driven and stayed on strongly final furlong
tracked leader, led 7f out, pushed along entering straight, headed over 2f out, no chance with winner final furlong, stayed on well to hold 2nd
tracked leaders, outpaced and driven along on inside 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
held up in 6th, headway to chase leading trio entering straight, driven along over 2f out, soon beaten, eased when no chance final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside final 2f, stayed on
A strong renewal of the Coronation Cup and St Ledger winner Sixties Icon gets the vote to win again at the main expense of Derby hero Sir Percy and Aiden O'Brien's pair Scorpion and Septimus. Jeremy Noseda's charge didn't stop improving last year and started this season with a comprehensive success at Newmarket. He has very different ground today but he won on soft as a two-year-old and has plenty of stamina. His pedigree also suggests that soft ground will suit. There aren't too many pace options in the race, Hattan being the most likely to take them along in the early stages. Frankie Dettori knows that the horse has plenty of stamina so as long as the horse isn't held up too far off the pace, he can win this prestigious prize. Sir Percy has the advantage of his win in the Derby to draw on and should have come on for his excellent fourth in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Rule him out at your peril. Scorpion won the St Ledger in 2005 but he has let himself down by getting worked up before the race in the past. Soft ground suits and if he has improved for his run at Chester he must rate a massive threat. As must stablemate Septimus who is held on a line through Sir Percy in last year's Derby but connections wouldn't be sending him back here if they thought he wouldn't handle the track. Again soft ground suits so he cannot be ruled out. Maraahel saves his best runs for Chester and shouldn't win this if it is run at a true pace (best over ten furlongs). This is a truly exciting race and the vote goes to Sixties Icon in a race where the sport of horse racing is the main winner.
Hattan (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Chased winner until ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Maraahel (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Maraahel (IRE) 4-6fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon led, ridden over 1f out, edged left, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead again towards finish, won at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in May beating Blue Bajan (9-0) by a hd, 4 ran.
Scorpion (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Sweating and edgy before start, in touch, effort to chase winner over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Ask (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Septimus (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Settled 2nd, improved to dispute lead approaching straight, soon ridden, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in May beating Fracas (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sir Percy (8-11) Short of room after 1f, not far off pace, every chance 2f out, not quicken, 4th of 14, 2l behind Vengeance Of Rain (8-11) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Sixties Icon 5-2 (9-3) Close up, chased leader 8f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in May beating Admiral's Cruise (8-12) by 3l, 5 ran.
Rising Cross 14-1 (8-12) Prominent, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 12l behind Sergeant Cecil (9-3) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
