held up and took keen hold, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, not clear run over 1f out, some headway inside final furlong, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader nearside, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, not trouble leaders
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden and every chance from over 1f until well inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
held up, ridden and switched left to outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
held up and took keen hold, not clear run well over 1f out, switched left and headway 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
always prominent, ridden, edged right and led over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, headed post
slowly into stride, held up, hampered well over 1f out, always in rear
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch until weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not pace to challenge
behind, soon pushed along, never on terms
chased leaders until ridden and weakened well over 1f out
held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead post
with leaders for 4f
A record field is set to line-up for the most important six-furlong sprint of the season and we are going to keep faith with One Cool Cat, with Somnus, Airwave, Ashdown Express, Frizzante, Patavellian, Tante Rose and Ratio all sure to have their supporters. The selection has had an up-and-down year which began when he finished distressed after an abysmal run when sent off as favourite for the 2,000 Guineas. Retirement was then considered but connections stayed true to the trainer's high opinion of the colt who just failed to confirm that with a running-on third in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York last time out. The extra furlong today should suit him and, as we say, we are prepared to keep faith with him one more time. Although only one horse, Be Friendly in 1966/7, has won this race twice, last year's winner, Somnus, comes here in great heart following a Group 1 win in France and must be respected, as must last year's third. Airwave, who could yet bounce back to her best. Also in the field is this year's Nunthorpe winner, Bahamian Pirate, who finished two places ahead of the selection in that race, although they both have to travel a furlong further today. Also in the field is the July Cup winner, Frizzante, and runner-up, Ashdown Express. The latter finished less than a length behind Somnus in France last time out and connections are hopeful of a good run as long as the weather stays dry. Remarkably, John Hammond has sent out three winners of the Sprint Cup, so his entry, Ratio, has to be afforded plenty of respect, and a possible dark horse for the contest is Roger Charlton's Tante Rose, who looks progressive and has scored at Group 3 level this season, although the same trainer also runs last year's Prix de l'Abbaye winner, Patavellian, so he has a strong hand in the race. With familiar names such as Orientor, Monsieur Bond, The Trader and Cartography also set to take part, we should have a race to savour. The big question for us, though, is can One Cool Cat finally live up to his billing? We reckon that the answer will be yes.
