held up towards rear, hard ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, driven to challenge well over 1f out, hard driven and ran on to lead well inside final furlong
held up, under pressure halfway, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
prominent, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, hard ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, soon detached, virtually pulled up
led until halfway, lost place well over 1f out
in touch, hung badly left from halfway, no impression
behind, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon chasing winner, stayed on strongly
prominent, led half way, soon hung left, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to challenge halfway, weakened over 1f out
Equiano could be interesting from his new Lambourn home after a gutsy King's Stand win at Royal Ascot, however last year's winner KINGSGATE NATIVE is taken to repeat the dose 12 months on. Trainer John Best showed plenty of steel when sending out this talented performer to take this last year as a two-year-old, and hence we have a few more in the line-up this time around. However Kingsgate Native has not stopped progressing and he put in a fine performance when winning the Golden Jubilee at Ascot. He is strictly held by Equiano on their previous clash but that was the selection's first run of the year and he wasn't at all disgraced back in midfield. Sakhee's Secret continues to frustrate; his last run was very poor and whilst he wasn't given a hard time when beaten he certainly has something to prove and is arguably best at six furlongs anyway. Benbaun is talented but may be on the decline, whilst Borderlescott is a very smart sprinter but not quite at this level. US Ranger ran a blinder when second to Marchand D'Or in the July Cup and must be respected but he has tasted defeat since, whilst Percolator and Flashmans Papers look like interesting juveniles so don't rule them out. Moorhouse Lad is out of form and probably not good enough to take a Group One these days anyway, so with Equiano considered a major threat we will stick with Kingsgate Native.
Benbaun (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 4l behind Marchand D'or (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Borderlescott 7-1 (9-10) Made most stands side until headed entering final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 27, 3/4l behind Conquest (8-9) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Dandy Man (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Raced keenly, prominent, led going well 2f out, gradually edged over towards far rail, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Enticing (8-10) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Desert Lord 17-2 (9-0) Reminders soon after start, chased leaders, ridden halfway, beaten over 1f out, soon eased, 11th of 12, 13l behind Enticing (8-10) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Moorhouse Lad 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 5l behind Enticing (8-10) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Prime Defender 11-2fav (9-4) In touch far side, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on one pace, 12th of 27, 7l behind Conquest (8-9) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Sakhee's Secret 5-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, badly hampered halfway, soon in rear and eased final furlong, last of 17, 31l behind Kingsgate Native (8-11) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Captain Gerrard (IRE) (8-11) Led to over 1f out, no extra when headed, 4th of 12, 4l behind Marchand D'or (9-9) at Chantilly 5f Grp 2 (1) sft in Jun.
Equiano (FR) 22-1 (8-12) Led near side, driven over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Takeover Target (9-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Kingsgate Native (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on but unable to quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Marchand D'or (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
National Colour (SAF) 20-1 (9-1) Led far side, one pace when headed approaching final furlong, 6th of 13, 2l behind Equiano (8-12) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Flashmans Papers 9-1 (9-0) Raced wide, well outpaced in rear, headway 2f out, never reached leaders, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Finjaan (9-0) at Goodwood 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Percolator (8-13) Led to 1f out, one pace when headed, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Lui Rei (9-2) at Maisons-Laffitte 5f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Shyrl 8-11fav (8-12) Steadied start, soon tracking winner, not pace to challenge over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Madame Trop Vite (8-12) at Newbury 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gs.
