held up in rear, pushed along before halfway, no impression from 2f out
led early, headed halfway, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders in 4th, ridden over 2f out, no impression in 4th over 1f out
prominent, close 2nd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, improved to dispute lead 1f out, stayed on well under pressure, led on line
prominent, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, joined 1f out, stayed on well under pressure, headed on line
chased leaders in 5th, ridden from halfway, soon weakened
held up in 6th, ridden in 5th 2f out, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on without threatening leaders final furlong
Three-year-olds have a good record in this and the fact that Tim Easterby sends MATTMU on the long journey from Yorkshire suggests the journey won't be wasted. He ended his first campaign with a double, completed in a Group 2 in France. He's been running well this campaign on quicker ground than he would have liked and can get back to winning ways. Maarek is generally competitive at this level as he was when staying on into second in a Group 2 here in May. He loves some give in the ground and is no doubt warming up for another crack at the L'Abbaye, which he won in 2013. Anthem Alexander hasn't been beaten far in two Group 1 races since landing a Group 3 at Naas when Toscanini was almost three lengths behind so can't be ignored.
Maarek 9-1 (9-3) Dwelt and held up in rear, 7th 2f out, soon ridden, went 5th 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Mustajeeb (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Russian Soul (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Towards rear in 6th, pushed along over 2f out, soon some headway on outer, dropped to last 1f out, no impression and eased inside final furlong, last of 7, 7 1/4l behind Stepper Point (9-7) at Curragh 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Anthem Alexander (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 3l behind Muhaarar (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Mattmu 9-2 (9-2) Close up, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Aeolus (9-3) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Toscanini (IRE) 4-11fav (9-7) Settled in 2nd, took closer order from 2f out and improved to lead 1f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, always just holding on, won at Naas 6f gf in Jul beating Letters Of Note (8-12) by nk, 3 ran.
Beach Belle 7-1 (9-0) Edged slightly right out of stalls, soon raced in 4th, pushed along over 2f out, soon in rear and no impression, kept on, last of 5, 4 1/2l behind Anthem Alexander (9-0) at Naas 6f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jun.
Fort Del Oro (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, 4th early, 5th halfway, closed travelling smoothly 2f out, soon challenged between horses, led from under 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Curragh 6f mdn Good - Yielding in Jun beating Creggs Pipes (9-0) by 4 1/4l, 10 ran.
Balmont Mast (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Soon disputed lead, gained narrow lead from halfway and pushed along, headed from 2f out, dropped to 7th 1f out where edged left towards rail, soon no impression, 9th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Stroll Patrol (8-13) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Jul.
