raced in close 3rd, eased out over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
hood off late and slowly away, held up last, closer halfway, gained a place over 4f out, weakened inside final 2f, behind and eased when no chance inside final furlong
tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, shaken up and lost 2nd inside final 2f, 3rd and no impression final furlong, lost 3rd final strides
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, unchallenged
held up in 4th, lost a place and in rear over 4f out, went 4th again inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd final strides, never going pace to challenge
Sir Michael Stoute has won two of the last four renewals and Bay Bridge has leading claims. He returned an impressive winner of the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown though the likely fast ground adds a note of caution. Japanese raider Shahryar drops down in trip having won the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March while Lord North dead-heated for first in the Dubai Turf before beaten at the Curragh last month behind runner-up STATE OF REST (NAP). The latter’s challenge came too late on that occasion but Joseph O’Brien’s colt has won at the highest level in North America, Australia and France and gets the vote in this. The French mare Grand Glory won a Group 1 at Deauville last year and is unbeaten in lower grade races so far this season.
Bay Bridge 7-4 (9-2) Bit keen, held up in close 4th, smooth headway out wide 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened readily clear inside final furlong, impressive, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May beating Mostahdaf (9-5) by 5l, 5 ran.
Lord North (IRE) 2-1jfav (9-5) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, took keen hold early, ridden and disputed 2nd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, 4th inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Alenquer (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Shahryar (JPN) 13-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 1f out, ran on well, won at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) fst in Mar beating Yibir (8-13) by nk, 15 ran.
State Of Rest (IRE) 2-1jfav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 5th, travelling well in 4th over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden in 4th 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well to line, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Alenquer (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Grand Glory 1-2 (9-1) Mid-division, headway to leaf 1f out, ran on strongly, won at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 stks gs in May beating Burgarita (8-11) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
