in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, strong headway to lead over 1f out, edged right, headed inside final furlong, rallied, stayed on strongly to lead close home
tracked leader, keen hold, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden, effort well over 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened
slowly into stride, behind, headway, edged right under pressure over 1f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed, no extra towards finish
held up, never dangerous
led, hard driven over 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on gamely
held up towards rear, headway when not clear run over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
The time has come for YOUMZAIN to step up the plate and seize an overdue Group 1 success on home shores. Duke Of Marmalade and Macarthur will be formidable opponents, while Lucarno arrives here on the crest of a wave after a length defeat of Papal Bull in a Group 2 at Newmarket. And he can at least uphold that form. Quite whether last year's St Leger winner can again resist all-comers at the highest level is debatable, though. Macarthur has a bit to find with the selection on the Coronation Stakes form at Epsom. But he has thrived since and, having shown his mettle to win here at the Royal meeting, the son of Montjeau will be a live danger to them all. Duke Of Marmalade is chasing a fourth Group 1 of the season and has to merit the utmost respect. His part in Aidan O'Brien's current domination of racing at this level has been a momentous achievement already and he is sure to make this a thrilling encounter. However, Youmzain is as gutsy an individual as you will find on the present scene and Mick Channon's five-year-old is a solid fancy to stall the Ballydoyle juggernaut, for the time being at least.
Ask 7-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Duke Of Marmalade (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on strongly close home, won at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Phoenix Tower (9-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Lucarno (USA) 6-1 (9-7) Made all, soon clear, quickened over 1f out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Yorks Oaks (1) gs beating Papal Bull (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Macarthur 11-8fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong to lead close home, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun beating Multidimensional (9-0) by a nk, 9 ran.
Papal Bull 2-1fav (9-2) Held up, headway when short of room over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ridden and kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Lucarno (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f Yorks Oaks (1) gs.
Petara Bay (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Lucarno (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f Yorks Oaks (1) gs.
Red Rock Canyon (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Soon led, quickened 8f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 23l behind Duke Of Marmalade (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Youmzain (IRE) (9-2) In touch, 5th straight, headway to press leaders 2f out, quickened to lead approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun beating Soldier Of Fortune (9-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
