held up off the pace in 4th, took closer order over 5f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, kept on under pressure
held up off the pace in 3rd, took closer order over 5f out, driven to challenge over 3f out, led just over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up well off the pace towards rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms
held up off the pace in 5th, took closer order over 5f out, smooth headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly
led, raced freely and soon 12 lengths clear, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, eased
tracked clear leader, took closer order over 5f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, no extra approaching final furlong
settled well off the pace in last, beaten over 3f out, eased
held up in rear, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten
STRADIVARIUS bids to win this for the third time in succession. He’s maintained last year’s imperious form so far this season beating Southern France at York before defeating Dee Ex Bee and Cross Counter in the Ascot Gold Cup. None of the latter trio were beaten far and will fancy their chances of reversing the form but John Gosden’s brilliant stayer always seems to find that bit extra and remains the one to beat. Of the remainder, Dashing Willoughby won the Queen’s Vase over 1m6f at Ascot and steps up in trip along with fellow three-year-olds and Ballydoyle duo South Pacific and Harpo Marx while Wells Farhh Go and Raa Atoll have it all to do on these terms.
Cross Counter 4-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, went 4th and edged right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never quite able to challenge, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Stradivarius (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun.
Dee Ex Bee 7-2 (9-1) Led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, held by winner final furlong, stayed on, took 2nd post, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Stradivarius (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun.
Southern France (IRE) 15-8fav (9-11) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along and no impression 2f out, 5th and ridden 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Twilight Payment (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
Stradivarius (IRE) Evensfav (9-2) Tracked leaders on inside, going well when not clear run over 2f out, soon switched left, quickened to lead over 1f out, always comfortably doing enough to hold rivals after, won at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun beating Dee Ex Bee (9-1) by 1l, 11 ran.
Wells Farhh Go (IRE) 5-4fav (9-0) Made most, pushed along 2f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gf in Jun beating Walton Street (9-0) by 4l, 4 ran.
Dashing Willoughby 10-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Communique (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Harpo Marx (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, ridden and effort between horses 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Dashing Willoughby (9-0) at Ascot 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in Jun.
South Pacific 22-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, closing on leaders when hung right inside final furlong, ran on to lead closing stages, won at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gs in Jun beating Constantinople (9-7) by nk, 16 ran.
Raa Atoll 14-1 (9-11) Disputed lead early, chased leader and 4th halfway, 3rd entering straight and soon pushed along, ridden over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Twilight Payment (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
