An intriguing Irish Derby, which brought together several lines of leading form, and the first two deserve plenty of credit for coming clear, especially the winner, who had to make up several lengths late on in a race in which an initially good pace eased between halfway and approaching the straight, his 108.0% finishing speed (runner-up 106.3%) indicating that there could well be more to come. As it is, he is rated higher than the three most recent winners of this race (Santiago, Sovereign and Latrobe), and about on a par with Capri (117 in 2017) and Harzand (119 in 2016). Times suggest the description of the ground as predominantly “good” was correct, on the easy side of that if anything.
HURRICANE LANE (118 here, 111 previously) had probably not been at his very best at Epsom for whatever reason, almost certainly improving upon his form there in this, a bit better than the result as well in managing to run down a smart rival who had got an advantage of a few lengths on him and wasn’t stopping. He was steadied into mid-field after briefly disputing the lead early, made his effort 3f out and still had ground to make up when edging right 1f later, but ran on strongly thereafter to lead near the finish. A solid Irish Derby winner on form, he will need to improve a few lengths more to beat the best older horses, and is still just behind the Epsom hero Adayar (now 119), but that is at least possible given how he achieved this. He could be expected to stay further if asked but showed speed here, too, with a 35.6s final 3f.
LONE EAGLE (117 here, 112 previously) might have achieved more than imagined when running away with a listed race at Goodwood the time before and looked a good horse here for all that the race went his way somewhat, racing in second before striking for home over 3f out and quickly opening a lead of about 4 lengths, running on for pressure but caught near the finish, less likely to be suited by still further than the one who beat him. A good race or two should come his way.
WORDSWORTH (106 here, 104 previously) ran a bit better than at Royal Ascot and remains open to improvement, possibly plenty of it when tried at 14f/16f, mid-field and a bit wide, tapped for toe approaching the home straight and short of room 2f out but staying on again at the death.
EARLSWOOD (103 here, 107 previously) would have been right up to his previous best with a better run but has improvement to find at this level, racing mid to rear and on the bridle longer than most, headway on the inner when running into trouble 2f out (his briefly edging right contributing to it) and no further impression late on. He would probably be as effective returned to 10f given a test.
MOJO STAR (102 here, 111 previously) was better than the result without exactly boosting the form of his Derby second the time before, in mid-field and pushed along approaching the straight, running into trouble 2f out then making only a little impression when in the clear. He may well need his sights lowered a bit to get off the mark.
MAC SWINEY (101 here, 118 previously) shaped as if this 12f was too far, though the ground was again not as soft as for his two stand-out wins, travelling well enough tracking the pace and going second 3f out before finding no extra under pressure.
ARTURO TOSCANINI (96 here, 103 previously) ran respectably and was better than the result, driven to go prominent and still disputing second approaching 2f out, hampered soon after and one paced.
VAN GOGH (90 here, 109 previously) was set plenty to do but did not convince with his stamina, in rear and making little headway when asked for his effort on straightening up.
FERNANDO VICHI (89 here, 104 previously) was not in the same form this time, ridden less positively, mid to rear and making no impression late on.
HIGH DEFINITION (71 here, 110 previously) could have been expected to place even if he did not improve (as seemed very likely) for the longer trip, and was clearly not himself, stumbling early and always behind, looking uncomfortable when pressure was applied.
MATCHLESS (53 here, 92 previously) was quickly done with after leading, steadying what had initially been a good pace at halfway.
