led centre group and overall leader until over 5f out, every chance when groups merged over 2f out, no extra closing stages
raced centre, in touch, headway when groups merged over 2f out, soon switched left to challenge, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no chance with winner
raced centre, in rear, headway when groups merged over 2f out, no impression
raced centre, tracked leader, under pressure over 3f out, gradually weakened
raced far side, tracked leaders, effort when groups merged over 2f out, soon lost place
raced far side, always prominent, travelled well, overall leader when groups merged over 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on strongly
led far side trio and well on terms, overall leader over 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
raced centre, held up in rear, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
The Statesman makes a quick reappearance under a penalty after winning at Sandown on Wednesday but preference is for FIRST NATION. Charlie Appleby’s colt has been running well over 1m4f lately but has twice gone close over this trip this season and can outstay City Of Joy, who is stepping up from a mile. Crowned Eagle beat the useful Secret Adviser at Windsor in the spring before trying his luck in the Derby. He should find this easier and makes more appeal than Harbour Rock, who is consistent but stepping up a grade for this.
Crowned Eagle 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, went centre 8f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Raheen House (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jul.
First Nation 11-2 (9-4) Raced wide until joined main group after 2f, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Duke Of Bronte (8-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) sft in Sep.
City Of Joy 16-1 (8-13) Missed break, in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Mojito (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Apex King (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 10l behind Best Solution (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in May.
Ay Ay (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Thundering Blue (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
The Statesman 11-4fav (9-3) Held up in touch, smooth headway on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Jupiter Light (9-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Monticello (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 9 1/4l behind Mutamaded (9-9) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Harbour Rock 2-1 (9-7) Close up in 4th, pushed along 3f out, edged left and headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Turnpike Trip (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
