chased leaders, led over 1f out until ridden and headed 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened into 4th soon after
slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear far side of group, pushed along and struggling halfway, never on terms
front rank out wide, went prominent halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
quickly away, led until 2f out, starting to lose place when hampered inside final 2f
outpaced in rear, headway near side of group over 1f out, some late headway, never going pace to get involved
front rank, weakened 2f out
held up out wide, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up, ran on late, never on terms
front rank, headway to go prominent over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on but no chance with winner
held up in last trio, near side of group, never a factor
raced keenly, held up in last trio, smooth headway and switched left inside final 2f, led 1f out, soon clear, ran on strongly
Battaash is seeking to win this for a fifth time. This sharp track is tailor-made for Charlie Hills’ flying machine but soft going would not be ideal and he is up against some very smart sprinters and did finish behind Arecibo at Ascot, though was ahead of several of today’s opposition and should strip fitter today. Glass Slippers was beaten more than two lengths last year and hasn’t raced since successful in the Breeders’ Cup in November but Art Power will have his ground and could go close. The three-year-old DRAGON SYMBOL (NAP) has only raced over 5f once before but was a winner on that occasion. He was second in the July Cup after being disqualified having been first past the post in the Commonwealth Cup and that’s almost certainly the strongest recent form on offer.
Arecibo (FR) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, led entering final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Came From The Dark (9-3) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Jul.
Art Power (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Raced far side led this pair and overall leader, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 19, 1 1/2l behind Starman (9-6) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Battaash (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Close up, headway and every chance 2f out, soon edged left, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Oxted (9-5) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Good Effort (IRE) 150-1 (9-6) Led stand side group, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 19, 15l behind Starman (9-6) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Liberty Beach 11-1 (9-2) Close up, pushed along 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Oxted (9-5) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Ornate 50-1 (8-13) Quickly away and led, pushed along and headed over 3f out, not much room on near rail over 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Lord Riddiford (8-6) at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Stone Of Destiny 12-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, not clear run from over 1f out until inside final furlong, ran on, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Came From The Dark (9-3) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Jul.
Zargun (GER) 10-1 (8-10) Midfield towards centre of track, edged left and headway over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, weakened close home, 7th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Lord Riddiford (8-6) at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Glass Slippers 8-1 (8-11) Ins,split 3w1/8,cleard, won at Keeneland 5f gd in Nov beating Wet Your Whistle (9-0) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Keep Busy (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, not clear run and lost place over 1f out, no impression after and hampered inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Came From The Dark (9-3) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Jul.
Dragon Symbol 7-2fav (9-0) Close up stand side, ridden to lead stand side group over 1f out, soon joined, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Starman (9-6) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Ubettabelieveit (IRE) 80-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 15th of 16, 14 1/2l behind Oxted (9-5) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Suesa (IRE) 9-4fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 15, at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Jun.
