led and stayed wide on back straight, led field centre in straight, headed over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, chased leading pair, no impression and no extra in 4th inside final furlong
held up, off the pace in last pair, plugged on in modest 5th final furlong, never going pace to threaten
tracked leading trio, riddden 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
held up, in rear, pushed along 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten
pulled hard, soon steadied into last trio, pushed along and struggling 3f out, weakened over 2f out, behind and eased final furlong
tracked leader, led travelling well over 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on gamely to assert final 100 yards
took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, upsides and every chance final furlong until no extra final 100 yards
French 2,000 Guineas winner The Gurkha may not be much value against classy older horses proven over today's trip. He was staying on behind Galileo Gold in the St James's Palace Stakes and is by Galileo but his dam barely stayed a mile and a fast pace here is guaranteed with stablemate Bravery entered to play the hare and Countermeasure a front runner. My Dream Boat sprang a real surprise when overcoming high-class opposition, including Western Hymn, to land the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Ascot. A repeat performance would put him in the picture but he's had a couple of hard races. Hawkbill faces his biggest test to date but Charlie Appleby appears to have ironed out his quirks and he could yet develop into a top-class performer. TIME TEST skipped Royal Ascot on account of the very soft going but he should handle conditions today and it was a smart effort to give Western Hymn 5lb here in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes on his reappearance – he gets the vote.
Countermeasure 5-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, led after 1f, regained led inside final furlong, kept on and caught post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Bastille Day (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Jun.
My Dream Boat (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up, in touch, switched left 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, soon edged left and ran on strongly to lead near finish, won at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Jun beating Found (8-11) by nk, 6 ran.
Time Test 3-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, challenged entering final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May beating Western Hymn (9-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Western Hymn 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind My Dream Boat (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Jun.
Bravery (IRE) 4-5fav (9-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute 4f out and led entering straight, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace, not match winner, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Ashraf (9-9) at Gowran Park 1m 1f Yielding in Jun.
Hawkbill (USA) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leading pair, challenged on outside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Jun beating Prize Money (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
The Gurkha (IRE) 4-5fav (9-0) Dwelt, in touch towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway when not clear run approaching final furlong, soon switched left, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Galileo Gold (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Jun.
