in touch, chased leaders 3f out, ridden and not quicken enough over 2f out, gradually weakened
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
in rear, plenty to do and short of room over 1f out, switched right, strong run inside final furlong, led at post
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no headway and outpaced over 1f out
mid-division, effort over 1f out, every chance, not paced to challenge inside final furlong
stumbled start, led to over 5f out, hard pressed from 2f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, caught post
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders going well over 1f out, found little inside final furlong, one pace
towards rear, headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, not quicken over 1f out
led to over 5f out, tracked leader afterwards, going well enough, every chance over 1f out, no extra, weakened inside final furlong
A really interesting Group 2 here with last year's winner Welsh Emperor is again involved and Group 1 winners Red Evie and Caradak among the leading players. We will plump for Caradak, who goes well when fresh and has not been seen out since chasing home Ramonti in a Group 1 at San Siro last October. That rival has since gone on to win both the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes and if Caradak has trained on anything like as well for the same Godolphin connections then we would be confident about the win. Red Evie won the Lockinge here when beating Ramonti but needs a strong pace to kick from and has not really had that of late, hence her successive defeats. If she gets that here then she is a serious threat. Welsh Emperor is officially rated 1lb lower than when taking this carrying the same racing weight of 9st 3lbs a year ago. Although he has not won since he should not be far away back at this venue. Per Incanto makes his British debut since joining John Dunlop and has won over the trip, though largely campaigned over sprint distances. He is interesting, and the same goes for Dubai's Touch, who probably prefers a mile but may get the strong pace he requires to be effective. Dark Islander is another who needs them to go lickety split as he would want at least a mile to be at his best these days and Caradak is taken to score.
Caradak (IRE) 11-20jt-fav (8-13) In touch, kept on under pressure final 2f, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Ramonti (8-13) at San Siro 1m Grp 1 (A) gd in Oct.
Dark Islander (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear on inside, not clear run from over 2f out until over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Tariq (8-9) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Red Evie (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 6l behind Simply Perfect (8-10) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Beckermet (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 9l behind Green Manalishi (9-0) at Chester 6f lst stk (1) gf.
Stronghold 17-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, 17l behind Sleeping Indian (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 10, 1l behind Silver Touch (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Silver Touch (IRE) (8-13) In touch, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Marchand D'or (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1).
Wake Up Maggie (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Took keen hold in touch, switched left inside final 2f, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Goodwood 7f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf beating Costume (8-9) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Dubai's Touch 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, immediately hard pressed, battled on gamely, just held on, won at Goodwood 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gf beating Traffic Guard (9-0) by a shd, 9 ran.
Per Incanto (USA) (8-8) Made all, ran on strongly, won at Capannelle 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in May beating Sakhee's Song (8-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Assertive 8-1 (9-5) Close up, 4th halfway, 3rd and ridden 2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 7, 9l behind Al Qasi (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gs.
