It's hard to get away from RIP VAN WINKLE, although Delegator could give him something to think about and Huntdown may well improve enough for the step up to seven furlongs to have a say in the finish. Favourites have a pretty good record in this contest and winning form in Pattern company has also proved to be a good guide to finding winners. That statistic counts against both Delegator and Huntdown, whose wins came in maidens. However, Delegator chased home Wingwalker on debut and the form of his win is also working out well enough to think that he can play a part. Huntdown trounced his field at Newbury before finishing a creditable third in the Middle Park, where he gave every impression of being in need of a seventh furlong. Finjaan's run in that contest can be ignored but he still has a bit to find whilst the race also featured Galpin Junior who doesn't look good enough. Ashram was impressive in winning a Group 3 in which Wingwalker pulled his chance away but there are plenty of holes in that form although Milk It Mick won the same race before following up in this heat at 33-1. It would be dangerous to ignore the tough Lord Shanakill but Shaweel has stronger form claims following his narrow defeat in the National Stakes at the Curragh. Aidan O'Brien has stated that the selection's preparation has been far from ideal and it's a slight worry that he's been off the track since July. He was, rightly, awarded the race on debut at the Curragh in a race that has worked out averagely. He had improved markedly by the time that he was next sighted as he comfortably outpointed the Albany Stakes winner Cuis Ghaire in the Tyros Stakes. That was just a four runner affair and the three behind have disappointed in all subsequent outings, but there was no mistaking the potential in the winner's performance and Rip Van Winkle is taken to cement his position at the head of the Guineas betting.
Ashram (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up in last place, ridden and headway from 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden clear, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf beating Control Zone (8-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Delegator 8-11fav (9-0) In touch, led over 1f out, quickened clear, drifted left final furlong, heavily eased near finish, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Palavicini (9-0) by 1l, 19 ran.
Egypt (new) 9-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, no impression from 2f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Barack (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo hcp 0-90 gs in Jul.
Finjaan 7-1 (8-12) Raced in main group, keen hold tracking leaders, not clear run from well over 1f out, soon hampered and eased, last of 9, 8l behind Bushranger (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
Galpin Junior (USA) 40-1 (8-12) Held up in 3rd in centre group, merged to main group over 3f out, effort 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 9, 6l behind Bushranger (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
Huntdown (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Raced in main group, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, edged right, stayed on, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Bushranger (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
Intense Focus (USA) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Naaqoos (9-0) at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) sft.
Lord Shanakill (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out close home, won at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sept beating Gallagher (9-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ouqba 15-8fav (9-1) Chased leader, shaken up to lead just over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, easily, won at Salisbury 6f 2yo stk (2) gd beating Qalahari (8-7) by 2l, 5 ran.
Prime Delivery (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 5l behind Sri Putra (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Rip Van Winkle (IRE) 11-8 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway in 3rd 1 1/2f out, ridden into 2nd 1f out, quickened to lead last 150yds, kept on well close home, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 gf in Jul beating Cuis Ghaire (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Shaweel 12-1 (9-1) Raced in 2nd, led over 3f out, soon ridden, joined inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure, headed last stride, just failed, 2nd of 7, shd behind Mastercraftsman (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 hvy in Sept.
Soul City (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Made virtually all, strongly pressed from 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Curragh 7f aut stk gs in Sept beating Gan Amhras (9-0) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
