tracked leader on inner, effort inside final 2f, soon ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden along over 3f out, not quicken over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
soon led, shaken up over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
tracked leader, ridden to dispute lead and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, snatched 2nd post
held up in touch on outer, effort 2f out, not pace to challenge and weakened rapidly over 1f out
reared as stalls opened, held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, driven out
Armigerent can take this Listed prize at the expense of Norisan, with Prince Of Elegance best of the rest. Mark Johnston had no less than six entered for this at one stage, including the very impressive Champery, so the fact that he relies on just Armigerent suggests that the colt is giving all the right signals at home. The son of In The Wings runs here in preference to a Listed race at Leopardstown today, and has entries in two Group races including the Gimcrack so is obviously highly thought of. In addition he is dropped in grade after chasing home Strategic Prince in the TNT July Stakes at Newmarket, so has a leading chance of losing his maiden tag here. Norisan is going the right way and the form of his dead-heat at headquarters in June has since been franked by Halicarnassus. The latter is trained by Mick Channon though, so he will have a line to the chances of both Pires and newcomer Majuro, so any support for either should be noted. To further complicate matters, Prince Of Elegance had Channon's La Neige behind at Newbury in the race won by a Hannon inmate Dazed And Amazed. Barry Hills throws his hat into the ring with Captain Marvelous, and all in all this looks harder and harder the more you look, but the vote goes to Armigerent.
Armigerent (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, effort and switched left entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Strategic Prince (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf.
Captain Marvelous (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, raced in centre, held up, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Hellvelyn (9-1) at Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Norisan 7-4fav (9-5) Hung right both turns, tracked leader, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f nov stk (4) pol beating Johannesburg Jack (9-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Pires 4-9fav (9-3) Made all, quickened 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating White Deer (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Prince of Elegance 9-2 (9-0) Not much room start, in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Dazed And Amazed (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Satulagi (USA) 10-1 (7-13) Slowly away, stayed on from the rear from over 1f out, nearest finish, 9th of 23, 5l behind Elhamri (9-4) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Majuro (IRE) Danetime colt, half-brother to winners up to 2m1f.
