slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden, raced centre over 3f out, driven to lead over 1f out, hard ridden and headed well inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up, headway, raced centre over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on well
led, ridden, raced far side over 3f out, driven, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out, ridden, raced centre over 3f out, soon beaten
held up, effort, raced centre over 3f out, soon driven along, no impression from 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden, raced far side over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place 5f out, raced centre over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out
held up in rear, raced centre, effort over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, no impression
This terrific Group one contest sees the eagerly awaited return of dual Oaks winner Ouija Board, who can make a winning start to her four-year-old career, Azamour and Warrsan should prove to be the main dangers. Ed Dunlop has been delighted with the selection's work on the gallops and comes to York full of confidence. Her credentials are there for everyone to see having comfortably beaten her rivals at Epsom and The Curragh before a third in the Arc was followed by a victory in the Breeders Cup. The four pound fillies allowance also adds to her chances and she is a confident choice. Azamour was unlucky when finishing fourth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and is better judged on his victories in the Irish Champion and St James' Palace Stakes. With the ground in his favour this afternoon he will be a tough nut to crack. Warrsan has failed to run up to his best form this season but should be treated with respect. The seven-year-old is a gutsy performer and if back to his best he will be in there fighting at the death. Aiden O'Brien's Ace and Australian raider Elvstroem could do best of the remainder, but we expect Ouija Board to enhance her already tall reputation.
Ace (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Grey Swallow (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
Azamour (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, last into straight, 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th when not clear run 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 2l behind Grey Swallow (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
Elvstroem (AUS) 4-1 (9-2) Led, ridden along from 2f out, kept on when headed final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Valixir (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 1f Grp 1 gd in May.
Hazyview 8-1 (9-4) Made virtually all, pressed from 3f out, driven over 1f out, in command final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Epsom 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd beating Brunel (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Norse Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up, 5th and pushed along halfway, effort on outer entering straight, 4th 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Grey Swallow (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
Touch Of Land (FR) 6-1 (9-2) Held up, headway and effort from 2f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Valixir (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 1f Grp 1 gd in May.
Warrsan (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Disputing 3rd, ridden straight, effort to chase winner until 2f out, over 2f out, one pace and no impression on leading pair, 4th of 7, 6l behind Yeats (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Ouija Board 9-10 (8-6) Held up, headway going well over 2f out, led 1f out, quickened, won at Lone Star Park 1m 3f fll stks Grp 1 std in Oct beating Film Maker (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
