A remarkable contest in which the runner-up got a long way clear and was not for catching by the majority of the field but was run down late on with a degree of comfort by Tower of London, who must be some performer to do what he did. The pace was pretty good on the whole, but the runners were soon well strung out, with nearly 20 lengths back to the main body of the field (and more than that to the winner) on the home turn, the race finishing speed of 100.4% (25.85s final 2f) a few points slower than par and showing that the second did, eventually, begin to slow in relative terms
TOWER OF LONDON (116+7 here and previously) has a whole lot of ability, as demonstrated here and in the Dubai Gold Cup earlier in the year, coming from a long way back with fast late splits both times and shaping as if he could put up a really top-notch rating in a race in which he gets more serious opposition. He was slowly away and steadied into rear, still had about 25 lengths to make up 4f out and was only finally shaken up 1f later, switched out of traffic and closing inexorably to lead under hands and heels near the line. It would be wrong to assume that he is just an out-and-out stayer (ran 22.2s final 400m in Dubai and about 23.0s final 2f here), and it would be really interesting to see what he could do in a well-run 12f, a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe even (though the Irish St Leger and Melbourne Cup have been mentioned, with the latter likely to be especially appealing). He reportedly lost a shoe when disappointing at York.
GROSVENOR SQUARE (114? here, 109 previously) will probably prove to have been flattered by this bare effort, though perhaps not to a massive degree in that he had shown very useful form at two years (if not so much in 2 outings this year). He soon led and was clear, nearly 20 lengths up on the home turn and responding to strong riding before being run down close home.
VAUBAN (105 here, 112 previously) had his work cut out catching the runaway leader but did not make much of a fist of it in the end, going second over 3f out and closing somewhat before one paced from well over 1f out and only just ahead of some rivals at the line that he had looked like beating easily early in the home straight.
RAISE YOU (104 here, 96 previously) closed late on and seemed to show useful form.
DANCING TANGO (100 here, 103 previously) ran respectably though never a danger after a slow start.
SHAMIDA (99 here, 106 previously) could never get on terms having been held up but ran respectably enough to suggest she will be back to her useful best with this behind her.
EASTERN LEGEND (96 here, 97 previously)
SEATTLE CREEK (0 here, 84 previously)
GASPER DE LEMOS (0 here, 98 previously)
AIRCRAFT CARRIER (0 here, ? previously)
