led, headed well over 2f out, soon not much briefly, soon beaten
tracked leading pair, improved to chase winner 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd just over 1f out, not quicken after
tracked leader, led well over 2f out, soon quickened, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, pulled out extra to go away towards finish
held up in 4th, headway inside final 2f, chased winner just over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
Nonrunner
A small field but a fascinating contest nonetheless although it will take a top class performance to get the better of RIP VAN WINKLE. This has been billed as a match between the winner of the Sussex Stakes and the Celebration Mile but that would be a disservice to Aqlaam and Zaxcinto. Mastercraftsman, who reversed Guineas form with Delegator when getting the better of him in the St James's Palace Stakes, has been declared as a precaution in case stablemate Rip Van Winkle suffers a late setback. Aqlaam hasn't been the easiest to train and is still improving but the form of his Group 1 win at Longchamp isn't as strong as the other form on offer here and he'll need to take a big step forwards. Zacinto has quickly made up for lost time as he followed up his Listed win with a decent second to Delegator but he has a length and a half to find on that running and could find that this step up comes too early in his career. Delegator impressed that day and looks capable of winning at the highest level but Mastercraftsman beat him on merit in June and his stablemate, Rip Van Winkle, has always been regarded as special. He hasn't shown his best at Newmarket, where he has twice finished behind Delegator, and didn't seem entirely happy on the cambers at Epsom when fourth in the Derby. He ran around in the closing stages of the Eclipse but it seems that that was due to the searching test provided by the brilliant Sea The Stars and there were no such problems at Goodwood where he trounced his opponents in the Sussex. He had problems with his feet before and after that contest and holes can be picked in the form with Ghanaati failing to run her race and those behind her looking short of that level. His form stands up to close inspection though, this is likely to be run at a proper pace which will bring his stamina into play and Rip Van Winkle can confirm his position as a top class performer.
Aqlaam 7-2 (9-2) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m Grp 1 gs beating Famous Name (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Delegator 4-6fav (8-9) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders on inner, eased out travelling well inside final 2f, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon drew clear, impressive, won at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Zacinto (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Rip Van Winkle (IRE) 6-4fav (8-13) Tracked pacemaker, led inside final 4f, in command over 1f out, galloped on strongly, ridden out, won at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul beating Paco Boy (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Zacinto 5-2 (8-9) Pulled hard, soon tracked leader on outer, challenging from 2f out, took narrow lead entering final furlong, headed and outpaced by winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Delegator (8-9) at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Mastercraftsman (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway in 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead briefly over 2f out, headed under 2f out, no extra in 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks.
