chased winner, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
made all, set steady pace, quickened and soon 2 lengths clear 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
keen, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, no impression after
Aidan O'Briens Grand Ducal looks the form pick here and is taken to score at the expense of Prime Spirit and Firth of Fifth. The selection was convincing when winning on his debut at Tipperary but found Glisten a little too good for him at Fairyhouse thereafter. This will be a stiff task but the stables runners have hit a purple patch of late and with that in mind, he is one to stay on the right side of. Prime Spirit comes from a yard that have a great strike rate with their two year olds. He won nicely on his debut at Newcastle and was not disgraced when second to Wildcat Wizard at Doncaster on his only other start so is one to note also. Firth of Fifth has experience on his side and has run some nice races in the process and as this is not the best Group 2 that has ever been run he has to be respected. But for the winner we return to GRAND DUCAL.
Deadly Secret (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch and led after 1f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun beating Master Rooney (9-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Firth of Fifth (IRE) 2-1fav (8-10) Made all, drew clear over 2f out, eased close home, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Jun beating Flute Magic (9-1) by 7l, 14 ran.
Grand Ducal (IRE) 9-4 (9-6) Attempted to make all, pushed along approaching straight, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Glisten (8-9) at Fairyhouse 7f 2yo stk frm in Jun.
Managua 6-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, won at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Jazacosta (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Prime Spirit (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Held up in touch, effort over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Wildcat Wizard (9-5) at Doncaster 7f nov stk (3) gd in Jun.
Sapphire Prince (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Great Leighs 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Jun beating Special Cuvee (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shaweel 20-1 (9-1) Restless in stalls, made most to over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 18, 9l behind Art Connoisseur (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Weald Park (USA) Evensfav (9-3) Made all, shaken up 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) frm in Jun beating Imaam (9-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Sanvean (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Honest Quality (9-0) at York 6f 2yo mdn fll (3) gd in May.
