close up, steadily lost place from over 10f out, hampered on rail and dropped to rear over 4f out, headway on inner to chase leading pair over 1f out, no extra towards finish
held up, headway and close up 12f out, weakened 2f out
led to 3f out, weakened quickly, eased when no chance final 2f
took keen hold, held up and behind, pushed along 7f out, headway to chase leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, smooth headway on outer from 4f out, led 3f out, soon edged right to inside rail, hard driven and stayed on gamely final furlong, just held on
ridden along to track leader after 4f, driven along from halfway, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, travelling well 3f out, ridden when slightly hampered on rail and switched out over 2f out, strong challenge final furlong, just held
held up, headway 4f out, weakened and eased over 2f out, tailed off
Mark Johnston's Royal Rebel ran his best race for some time when fourth in the Gold Cup but the eight-year-old has often reserved his best for the royal fixture and of more interest is Corrib Eclipse, who is preferred to another Johnston inmate Double Obsession. The last mentioned showed improved form for the step up to 2m4f when landing the Ascot Stakes last month and there may be more to come but Corrib Eclipse is narrowly preferred. Jamie Poulton's gelding sprang a surprise when taking the Queen Alexandra Stakes on his first start on the flat but there was no fluke about that success. The five-year-old has shown a decent level of form in National Hunt flat races, including the Festival Bumper, and it is interesting that his handler runs him again here rather than waiting to go over hurdles. Hilbre Island and Misternando have claims on their best form but face no easy task under their penalties and of more interest may be Romany Prince. David Elsworth's gelding seemed not to stay 2m6f in the Queen Alexandra and may be suited by the return to this trip. However, Corrib Eclipse travelled well through the race at Ascot and is taken to follow up.
