tracked leaders, 5th 2 1/2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, last 2 1/2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, challenged in close 2nd and every chance from over 1f out, kept on same pace near finish
tracked leaders, ridden into 3rd over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon led, joined 2 1/2f out, soon headed and weakened from over 1f out
prominent, on terms 2 1/2f out, narrowly in front from over 1f out, no extra and headed near finish
soon settled towards rear on stands rail, got into clear and chased leaders in 4th over 1f out, soon 3rd, ran on well between to lead near finish
This is generally won by a very high-class colt and Aidan O'Brien has saddled six of the previous eight winners. The Ballydoyle team have no less than four representatives today and with Johnny Murtagh on board Zoffany he's the one expected to do best though he was well beaten when tried at his highest level in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes. Dunboyne Express had the Ballydoyle colt Samuel Morse a massive 8l back in second in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes here last month and though that wide margin may have flattered him he is obviously very useful. Godolphin wouldn't be sending the Listed winner Al Aasifh without good reason though his overall form falls short of what is required here. Richard Hannon has been sweeping up all the major juvenile contests this year and can take this one with STRONG SUIT, who looked a fine prospect when landing the Coventry Stakes. The runner-up Elzaam has disappointed since but there looks plenty more to come from the Rahy colt as he had anything but a clear passage at Ascot and did well to get up in the closing stages.
Emperor Hadrian (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Keen, intouch in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 6, 2 3/4l behind King Torus (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Foolproof (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Made virtually all, definite advantage from 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Cork 6f 2yo hcp 50-80 gd beating Long Time Coming (8-8) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Glor Na Mara (IRE) 2-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, closer in 3rd over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 4, 13l behind Dunboyne Express (9-1) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Samuel Morse (IRE) Evensfav (9-1) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression leader over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Dunboyne Express (9-1) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Snow Mountain (IRE) 5-4fav (9-0) Led, challenged 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, headed last 200 yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Suntan (8-13) at Curragh 6f 2yo hcp 60-90 gd in Jul.
Strong Suit (USA) 15-8fav (9-1) In rear, short of room and squeezed out over 2f out, headway when short of room over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead post, won at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun beating Elzaam (9-1) by ns, 13 ran.
Zoffany (IRE) 1-7fav (9-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved travelling well to lead 1 1/2f out, shaken up briefly inside final furlong, easily, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating High Ruler (9-1) by 2l, 4 ran.
Al Aasifh (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Raced towards far side, in touch, headway 2f out, challenged 1f out, ridden and quickened to lead final 100 yards, kept on well, readily, won at Newbury 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Jul beating Cape To Rio (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Dunboyne Express (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Chased leader, improved to lead halfway, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, stayed on strongly to go clear final furlong, won at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating Samuel Morse (9-1) by 8l, 4 ran.
