led at strong pace, joined 3f out, kept narrow advantage unto headed well over 1f out, chased winer until no extra inside final furlong
held up last, outpaced 3f out, effort on outside and hanging right when switched left 2f out, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, went 3rd final 100 yards
soon chased leader, challenged 3f out, soon ridden, weakened entering final 2f
held up towards rear, steady headway on outside over 3f out, chased winner and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on strongly towards finish, just held
dwelt, held up towards rear, niggled along halfway, ridden over 3f out, struggling soon after
chased leader early, settled 3rd, challenged 3f out, every chance 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, one pace and no impression when lost 2 places inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, behind when went wrong and fell over 2f out
chased leading trio, effort over 2f out, challenged 2f out, soon led, ridden 2 lengths ahead 1f out, driven and stayed on, held on, all out
took keen hold early, held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and struggling 3f out
Sixties Icon (2006) and Conduit (2008) have gone on to advertise the strength of this race as a St Leger trial while last year's winner Harbinger has progressed into a Group One winner since, so there's every reason to value this Group Three contest; this year's victor might just be ARCTIC COSMOS, although Film Score, Simon De Montfort, Corsica and Dandino - to name but four - help to make this a wide-open renewal. John Gosden's runner won a Kempton handicap off 78 two starts back before taking a massive step forward to finish second in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, in the process showing why he's entered in the St Leger. The Newmarket handler has his string in good order and if this colt's new rating of 113 is correct he's the one to beat. Fencing Master shares that mark but was undeniably disappointing at Navan and hasn't yet repeated his juvenile form, so despite the addition of a visor he's overlooked. Film Score may be a bigger threat having caught the eye when fourth in the Hampton Court Stakes at the Royal meeting. That was only his second start and he shaped as though this trip would bring about yet more improvement. Godolphin have another strong candidate in Simon De Montfort, winner of a Group Three at Longchamp on his most recent start, his last for Andre Fabre. However, along with Corsica, winner of the Group Three Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last time, he has to carry a penalty and that makes life tough. Dandino has done nothing but improve all year and deserves this step up from handicap ranks. His mark of 100 is joint-lowest in the field but James Given's charge may be capable of better still and his style of racing makes him hard to assess. Rebel Soldier looked better the further they went at York and has been kept back for this, the acid test, while his stable companion Theology won a course and distance maiden two starts back and excelled himself when second over two miles at Royal Ascot. Favourites have a good record in this race in recent times but in this renewal it's hard enough to predict which horse that will be, however Arctic Cosmos is taken to continue his progression.
Corsica (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Tracked leader, switched towards center over 3f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, edged right and stayed on to lead near finish, won at Newmarket 1m 5f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf beating Harris Tweed (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Arctic Cosmos (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon pushed along briefly, held up in 5th on inside, pulled out to chase winner well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never quite able to challenge, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Monterosso (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Circumvent 40-1 (9-7) Dwelt, headway to lead over 7f out, steadied pace halfway, quickened over 2f out, challenged from over 1f out, ran on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf beating Breakheart (8-3) by nk, 19 ran.
Dandino 7-1 (8-13) Always close up in 4th, ridden to challenge 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun beating London Stripe (8-10) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Dubawi Phantom 40-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, ridden and weakened 5f out, 9th of 10, 21l behind Cape Blanco (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Fencing Master 1-3fav (9-6) Attempted to make all, ridden and headed over 2f out, no impression on winner and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Wade Giles (9-6) at Naas 1m stks gd.
Film Score (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in 7th, headway on outside from inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten leaders, 4th of 15, 2l behind Afsare (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Rebel Soldier (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Made all, quickened over 3f out, clear entering final furlong, ran on strongly, impressive, won at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun beating Bonfire Knight (8-13) by 8l, 9 ran.
Theology 18-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear on inside, good headway on inside over 2f out, ridden to narrow lead final 100 yards, driven and stayed on gamely, caught post, 2nd of 12, ns behind Mikhail Glinka (9-1) at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Very Good Day (FR) 5-1 (9-0) Dwelt, in rear, switched towards center over 3f out, soon ridden, not troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 7l behind Corsica (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 5f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf.
Simon De Montfort (IRE) 10-3fav (9-2) In rear early, still last over 1f out, ridden and quickened over 1f out, led post, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Pain Perdu (9-2) by nk, 8 ran.
