broke on terms, steadied into last, switched left 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, in command final furlong, kept on well
last to break, chased leaders, raced keenly, ridden and beaten over 1f out, well held inside final furlong
BRANDO comes out best at the weights though that was the case when only third at Doncaster last time. But he has his favoured soft going today and will go close if repeating last year’s second in the Champions Sprint at Ascot when well ahead of Cape Byron. Khaadem also ran well in Group 1 company at Ascot last year when fourth in the Diamond Jubilee though hasn’t won since landing the Stewards’ Cup in 2019 and Exalted Angel is a Listed winner facing a tough task under a penalty.
Exalted Angel (FR) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on far rail, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Summerghand (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Brando 6-1 (9-8) In rear, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Royal Commando (9-8) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) gd in Mar.
Cape Byron 22-1 (9-2) Mostly chased winner until 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, last of 16, 9 1/4l behind Glen Shiel (9-2) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Khaadem (IRE) (9-5) last of 13, 10 3/4l behind Extravagant Kid (9-5) at Meydan 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Mar.