A race blighted by the fatal injury sustained by Trueshan, one of the best stayers of recent years. Accusations from some quarters that the ground was either “overwatered” or “too firm” are not supported by time analysis, which pointed to predominantly “good” for longer races. It was a worthy edition otherwise, without being quite as high-class as some others of late, the decidedly smart Aidan O’Brien-trained pair battling it out in the closing stages. The pace was somewhat stop-start and it resulted in a quick finish, the winner’s 23.63s final 2f (quicker than Witness Stand managed in the preceding 7f G2!) translating to a 109.7% finishing speed.
(115+ here, 118 previously) is as short as 11-10 favourite for the St Leger in some quarters and will go there with strong claims, though this effort, in which he was favoured by the generous WFA allowance for 3yos, did not strictly enhance them. He tracked the pace and was hampered a couple of times before going 2nd 5f out, gradually asked for his full effort and alongside from over 2f out, finally asserting in the last 100 yards. He may need a good pace in the Leger, but there is a decent chance of that given his connections.
(116 here and previously) ran well giving 14 lb to his younger rival, soon leading, winding it up in the final half-mile but joined 2f out and worn down inside the final 1f. he is proving a model of consistency.
(113 here and previously) ran well and in typical style, slowly away and briefly rousted, mid to rear and staying on steadily. He has his quirks but they are outnumbered by his strengths.
(113 here, 114 previously) ran creditably enough to say he stayed 2m under these circumstances, but perhaps only just, close up, under pressure with more than 2f to go but sticking to his task until one paced near the end.
(108 here, 105+ previously) ran creditably in this stronger company without entirely convincing with his stamina, slowly away and in rear for a long way, headway out wide with 2f to go then petering out late.
(108 here, 115 previously) was held up and never on terms, below his very best.
(101 here, 110 previously)
(0 here, 114 previously)
