tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, clear until 5f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, one pace
held up in touch, led over 2f out, clear entering final furlong
tracked leader, led briefly over 2f out, one pace and no chance with winner final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
Traffic Guard has every chance judged by official BHA ratings but Paul Cole's five-year-old has not won for over two years and is likely to have to settle for minor honours again behind AGE OF REASON, who gets the vote over Warringah. Sir Michael Stoute's gelding put up a smart performance when successful in a handicap over course and distance in June, winning off a mark of 91 and has run creditably in better company since then, latterly when a close fifth behind Sesenta in the Ebor. Classic Punch was good value for his win in a conditions stakes race at Ripon in April but this is tougher for David Elsworth's gelding and he is likely to struggle to trouble the judge in a race taken to go to Age of Reason. Saeed Bin Suroor's gelding disappointed on his return to the UK in June but the yard's runners are in much better form now and, having run better in a Group 3 at Newbury last time, he can taken this before maybe going on to better things.
Age of Reason (UAE) 14-1 (9-4) Prominent, lost place over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Kite Wood (8-8) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Classic Punch (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Ajhar (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f cond Stakes (2) gd.
Traffic Guard (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Jukebox Jury (8-8) at Haydock 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Warringah 17-2 (9-10) Prominent, led over 12f out, ridden over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 19, 1l behind Sesenta (8-8) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf.
Bushy Dell (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) In touch, effort and every chance over 3f out, driven and weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 29l behind Teeky (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gd in Jul.