led after 1f, took keen hold, 4 lengths clear halfway, headed over 1f out, weakening when short of room entering final furlong
led 1f, tracked clear leader, led again over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages
slowly into stride, held up in touch, headway over 2f out, squeezed through to challenge 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
broke well, soon held up in last, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on into 3rd towards finish, nearest finish
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Neither Dark Vision nor stablemate Victory Command were disgraced at York last week. Good Birthday started favourite at Newmarket last month after running at Royal Ascot but only managed fifth. Three Comets is blinkered after a couple of modest efforts this term and Arctic Fox has gone off the boil since completing a hat-trick at York in June. DESERT ICON got outpaced by Waldstern last time at Newmarket but this stiff track should suit the Haggas colt, who stays further.
Dark Vision (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Held up in last pair, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Pogo (9-3) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Victory Command (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Forest Of Dean (9-3) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Good Birthday (IRE) 13-2fav (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, wandered over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Walkinthesand (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Desert Icon (FR) 9-4fav (9-1) Tracked leading pair, close 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Waldstern (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Three Comets (GER) 25-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division 3f out, chasing leaders 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Sir Ron Priestley (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Arctic Fox 9-2 (9-7) In touch in rear, headway over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 6, 12 1/2l behind Clarion (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp fll (3) gf in Aug.