prominent, 4th halfway, 6th straight, soon no extra, eased final furlong
held up in rear, eased entering straight, tailed off
prominent, 3rd from halfway, 4th and driven along approaching straight, 5th under 1 1/2f out, kept on
held up in 7th, progress on outer early straight, 2nd over 1f out, soon challenged, led 100 yards from finish, stayed on well, comfortably
close up in 2nd, disputed lead 4f out, ridden and headed early straight, dropped to 6th and no extra over 1f out
tracked leaders in 5th, improved into 3rd travelling well entering straight, led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, headed 100 yards from finish, kept on under pressure without threatening winner
held up in 6th, 5th and progress early straight, 2nd briefly 1 1/2f out, 3rd and kept on inside final furlong
led, joined 4f out, regained slight advantage straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra and weakened
An intriguing contest is made even more interesting by the presence of Pop Rock. Landing a stakes race at Galway from a Limerick bumper winner wouldn't suggest this nine-year-old can take a classic but he showed that day he retains plenty of ability and he was once second in the Melbourne and Japan Cups. Profound Beauty will be strongly fancied to add to Dermot Weld's tally in the race - he was successful four times in succession with Vinnie Roe - but she was beaten fairly by Tactic in the Group 3 Curragh Cup here in June and there doesn't appear any obvious reason for a form reversal and the winner finished lame when beaten a long way in the Goodwood Cup subsequently. SANS FRONTIERES looks the one to be on as Jeremy Noseda's colt is improving rapidly and took the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury in comprehensive fashion. Connections are confident of a big run here before a possible attempt at the Melbourne Cup. Kite Wood and the improving Flying Cross are others to consider in a very interesting classic.
Kite Wood (IRE) 6-4fav (9-8) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, 6th of 8, 24l behind Sans Frontieres (9-8) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Pop Rock (JPN) 9-2 (9-2) Soon close up and disputed, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Galway 1m 6f stks gf in Jul beating Caesar's Song (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rajik (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Pushed along to chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden along 4f out, went 2nd 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Galway 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in Aug beating Address Unknown (8-13) by hd, 7 ran.
Sans Frontieres (IRE) 3-1 (9-8) Held up, progress to track leaders 7f out, led and hung right over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug beating Laaheb (9-4) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Tactic 5-1 (9-7) Took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along 5f out, ridden and no impression when hung right 3f out, eased when no chance over 1f out, 9th of 10, 41l behind Illustrious Blue (9-7) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Profound Beauty (IRE) 4-11fav (9-9) Made all, driven out and ran on well from under 2f out, clear final furlong, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f Grp 3 gd in Aug beating Akzar (8-12) by 3l, 4 ran.
Flying Cross (IRE) 4-6fav (8-11) Raced mostly 2nd, pushed along 3f out, led 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Tipperary 1m 4f stks gf in Aug beating Vitruvian Man (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Lady Lupus (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead and dispute 3f out, strongly pressed 2f out, headed and no extra in 2nd over 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
