chased leaders, ridden entering straight, close 3rd 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on without threatening winner
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, dropped to 4th 2f out, soon no impression
held up in rear, ridden and lost touch in 5th 3f out, soon no impression
chased leaders in 5th early, 4th 5f out, close 3rd travelling well entering straight, ridden to lead under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
chased leaders in 4th, dropped to 5th 5f out, pulled up quickly 4f out, cantered home
soon led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Unlike the earlier fillies race, this is a genuine Group 1 with the Juddmonte 1-2-3 in opposition again. DECLARATION OF WAR came out on top on the Knavesmire in a race marred by the poor performance of Toronado. The winner scored strictly on merit and, unless the rain arrives and the going is on the easy side, he should have no problems confirming the form with Al Kazeem, who appears to be better on that sort of ground. Trading Leather continues to run superbly and though the Irish Derby winner would do better over another furlong he'll be battling on and won't go down without a fight. The Fugue bounced back to her brilliant best in the Yorkshire Oaks but had been twice beaten by Al Kazeem over this trip earlier. Kingsbarns is the intriguing one in the line-up though both victories last season were gained on soft ground.
Al Kazeem 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leader, niggled along briefly halfway, led 2f out, soon edged left, driven and headed over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Declaration Of War (9-5) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug.
Parish Hall (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Settled in 3rd off pace, closer entering straight but soon driven along, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, just failed to snatch 2nd on line, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Camelot (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Euphrasia (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, ridden and no extra under 2f out, 10th of 16, 6l behind Royal Blue Star (9-4) at Cork 1m Listed stks (1) gd in Aug.
The Fugue 2-1fav (9-7) Held up tracking leading trio, went 3rd over 4f out, closed to 2nd travelling well approaching final 2f, quickened to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, easily, won at York 1m 4f flls Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug beating Venus de Milo (8-11) by 4l, 7 ran.
Kingsbarns (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, closed going well over 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, soon asserted, ran on well, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct beating Van Der Neer (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Trading Leather (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Led, joined over 2f out, soon headed, lost 2nd well over 1f out, rallied gamely to 2nd again 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Declaration Of War (9-5) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug.
Declaration Of War (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leading pair on inside, switched right off rail over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and stayed on strongly final furlong, won at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug beating Trading Leather (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Princess Highway (USA) 7-2 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden in 7th 2 1/2f out, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 7th of 9, 7l behind Ambivalent (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f flls Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
