raced wide in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leader
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden to lead entering final 2f, soon headed, stayed on
went right start, in rear, switched left 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on same pace
keen tracked leaders, pushed along and short of room over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong
in touch, short of room on inner over 4f out, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
went right start and bumped, raced wide towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on
Battleground was impressive in last month’s Chesham Stakes and has a superb pedigree. But he’s also a well-built individual and he may not be as suited to this course as Ascot. DEVIOUS COMPANY won his first two starts at Haydock and only found one too good in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last time. He probably sets the standard on that form and should again beat sixth King Zain. Dark Lion finished ahead of Painless Potter and Thunder Of Niagara when fourth in the Coventry Stakes but that form hasn’t worked out and he only landed the odds by a head at Wolverhampton subsequently. Fountain Cross and Kraken Power were both well beaten in a Listed race at Newbury 10 days ago and this looks a big ask for the once-raced Gorytus but Youth Spirit appears to be improving fast.
Battleground (USA) 11-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, shaken up and effort over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 7f lst stks (1) sft in Jun beating March Law (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Dark Lion (IRE) 8-15fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, pushed out, won at Wolverhampton 7f stks (5) pol in Jul beating Knight Salute (9-5) by hd, 6 ran.
Devious Company (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders centre, led overall over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Master Of The Seas (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Fountain Cross 33-1 (9-0) Wore hood to post, held up in last pair, switched left and plugged on inside final furlong, never on terms with leading duo, 4th of 8, 6l behind Method (9-0) at Newbury 6f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Gorytus (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead final strides, won at York 7f stks (5) gd in Jul beating Star Of Orion (9-8) by hd, 13 ran.
King Zain (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Held up centre, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Master Of The Seas (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Kraken Power (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Edgy in stalls, prominent near side of group, went 2nd over 2f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Method (9-0) at Newbury 6f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Painless Potter (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Outpaced towards rear, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 15, 4 1/4l behind Nando Parrado (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Thunder Of Niagara (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Led until inside final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 6l behind Nando Parrado (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Youth Spirit (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Raced wide prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (3) sft in Jul beating Magical Land (9-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
