held up in last pair, looking for room when switched right 2f out, ridden and beaten over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders on near side rail, ridden and hung right from over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
slight lead, edged off rail and headed over 2f out, stayed challenging until over 1f out, keeping on same pace in 5th and no chance when ran out of room towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, 4th and one pace inside final furlong
prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, always holding on
pushed along briefly after start, held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner and edged right over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong but always held
prominent, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
switched left start, took keen hold in last pair, effort on wide outside over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
Richard Hannon has won the last four renewals and Master Of War enters the fray after landing a Newbury Listed success in very testing conditions. He had Euxton Hall a couple of lengths back in fourth but Richard Fahey's colt didn't look happy on that ground and can get closer. The latter's stablemate Ginger Goose has only run on soft going to date but there's no reason to suspect he won't handle these conditions though improvement is required from his Hamilton maiden victory. Cay Verde went to Royal Ascot for the Norfolk Stakes as favourite after his Listed success at the Curragh but though running well didn't look like winning and finished just behind today's rival AHERN. David Barron's colt was a bit unlucky in-running that day and improved again to finish a close third in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket where he just faded close home. This quicker track is in his favour and he looks the one to beat. Secret Sign has plenty of improvement to make but is just the type Brian Meehan does so well with and is no forlorn hope.
Ahern 9-4 (8-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd halfway until unbalanced over 1f out, rallied under strong pressure and led inside final furlong, soon edged right, headed towards finish, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Alhebayeb (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul.
Cay Verde 11-4fav (9-1) Raced centre, chased leaders, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3l behind Reckless Abandon (9-1) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Jun.
Euxton Hall (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Led until strongly challenged and headed over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Master Of War (9-0) at Newbury 6f Listed stks 2yo (1) sft in Jul.
Ginger Goose 7-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, just held on, won at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Jul beating Dr Phibes (8-12) by shd, 7 ran.
Heavy Metal 16-1 (8-12) Led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 5l behind Alhebayeb (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul.
Master Of War 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newbury 6f Listed stks 2yo (1) sft in Jul beating Boomshackerlacker (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Secret Sign 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right, ran on well (hand timed), won at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun beating Deepest Blue (9-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Top Boy 50-1 (9-1) Raced centre, mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 22, 2l behind Body And Soul (7-12) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) hvy in Jul.
