held up mid-division, ridden well over 3f out, soon weakened
held up behind, effort over 6f out, soon struggling
always behind, tailed off over 5f out
held up in touch, headway over 4f out, chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, faded final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong
held up, effort over 6f out, soon struggling
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always behind
held up in touch, chased leaders over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong
held up in touch on inner, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, held on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, effort over 5f out, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
This looks like an excellent opportunity for Westerner to land the Gold Cup, with Vinnie Roe representing his biggest threat, while Percussionist and Barolo could go well at bigger prices. The Elie Lellouche-trained six-year-old looked better than ever when scoring at Longchamp on his seasonal return, having already won four Group 1 races during the course of his career. Basically, he is very useful, being a stayer with a turn of foot. He also finished second in last year's Gold Cup and, with his earplug problems now seemingly behind him, looks set to run a big race today. Papineau beat him in the Gold Cup last year, but the Godolphin representative has had an interrupted preparation for today's race and might need the run. There will be no such problems for the four-time Irish St Leger and Melbourne Cup winner, Vinnie Roe, and he represents a big threat. Others that could run well at bigger prices are Percussionist and Barolo, while Fight Your Corner won the Henry II Stakes last time in good style and it will be interesting to see if the Yorkshire Cup winner Franklins Gardens will stay this extended trip, and Darasim and Mr Dinos were third and sixth in the Gold Cup last year, although the latter has not been see on the track since. Finally, it will be interesting to see how Darsalam fares back in England as he has looked an improved performer of late. Overall, though, Westerner gets a solid vote.
Barolo 11-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well in inside final furlong, finished well, 3rd of 8, 1l behind New South Wales (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (3) gd in May.
Corrib Eclipse 33-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden over 5f out, dropped towards rear, no chance final 3f, 7th of 9, 26l behind Alcazar (8-13) at Lingfield 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Darasim (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 14th of 16, 23l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Distinction (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Led 1f, remained prominent, ridden over 3f out, every chance 2f out, losing place when badly hampered over 1f out, eased, 6th of 8, well behind Day Flight (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Fight Your Corner 20-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, not clear run approaching 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to lead final 75 yards, won at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May beating Lochbuie (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Franklins Gardens 13-2 (8-10) Made all, pushed along over 2f out, ridden when edged left over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, won at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May beating Percussionist (8-9) by a nk, 9 ran.
Jardines Lookout (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Led for 1f, remained in touch, weakening when hit rails just inside final 3f, 12th of 16, 14l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Mr Dinos (IRE) 5-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out, ridden to lead 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 11l behind Papineau (9-0) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (A) gf.
Papineau 7-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, hung left when not clear run over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Franklins Gardens (8-10) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Razkalla (USA) 1-2fav (8-12) Led from 1f, tracked leader until ran wide into straight, driven, rallied final furlong, no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Persian Lightning (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3f lst stk (1) gd in May.
Sun Bird (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up and always in rear, 15th of 16, 29l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Vinnie Roe (IRE) 8-11fav (10-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd approaching straight, led over 1 1/2f out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stk (1) gf in May beating Mutakarrim (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Westerner 4-9fav (9-2) In touch going well, led 2f out, quickened clear, won at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 2 gd in May beating Allez Olive (8-11) by 5l, 8 ran.
Darsalam (IRE) (9-2) Prominent, disputed lead from 2f out, forged ahead near finish, won at Baden-Baden 2m Grp 3 sft in May beating Bailamos (8-11) by a hd, 9 ran.
Percussionist (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on and no extra close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Franklins Gardens (8-10) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Westerner (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 2 gd in May.
Wolfe Tone (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) In touch, effort to lead 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Shabernak (IRE) 7-4fav (8-9) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 6th of 8, 5l behind New South Wales (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (3) gd in May.
