prominent, pushed along over 2f out, 4th 1f out, soon no impression, one pace
soon raced in 6th, closer order over 2f out, 5th 1f out, soon no impression, one pace
soon raced in 4th, pushed along halfway, dropped to 7th 1f out, chased leaders and no impression final furlong, dropped to 4th on line
dwelt, in rear, not much room and switched left from over 1f out, got racing room inside final furlong, kept on without threatening to go 3rd on line
soon raced in 5th, pushed along 2f out, chased winner in 2nd 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon led, asserted from 1f out, soon clear, stayed on well, eased close home
held up in 7th, switched right to outer 2f out and pushed along, 6th 1f out, soon no impression, one pace
pushed along early to soon track leaders, 2nd and pushed along before halfway, 3rd 1f out, soon no impression, one pace
towards rear in 8th, not much room and switched left 1 1/2f out, impeded under 1f out, one pace
Dutch Masterpiece won this from stall 13 last year but the previous nine winners were drawn in single figures. Three-year-olds have a good record and last year's successful yard is represented by Fountain Of Youth and Guerre. The former reverted to this trip here in June and just held off Extortionist in a Group Three with Jamesie close up in fourth. Guerre had beaten Maarek in a Listed race over this trip at Naas before finishing last in the King's Stand Stakes, which wasn't his true form. However, STEPPER POINT finished runner-up to Sole Power in that latter event and got even closer to him in the Nunthorpe at York so he looks the one to beat. Extortionist had beaten him at Sandown earlier but that clearly wasn't his best form. Sir Maximilian showed that he was up to Listed class at least when beating Abstraction at Tipperary and comes into the reckoning for a place on the podium.
Jamesie (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, soon pushed along, challenged and on terms 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to just prevail on line, won at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Gordon Lord Byron (9-13) by ns, 9 ran.
Master Speaker (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to 9th 1f out, soon no impression, one pace, 13th of 17, 5l behind Tylery Wonder (8-11) at Curragh 6f hcp gf in Aug.
Robot Boy (IRE) 13-2fav (9-7) Chased leaders far side, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Blaine (9-5) at York 5f hcp 105 (2) gf in Aug.
Russian Soul (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, no impression when not much room under 1f out, one pace, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Jamesie (9-6) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Sir Maximilian (IRE) 2-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards, won at Tipperary 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Aug beating Abstraction (9-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Stepper Point 20-1 (9-11) Always prominent, led over 1f out, soon hard ridden, strongly challenged inside final furlong, headed towards finish, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Sole Power (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Extortionist (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly away always in rear, 15th of 17, 12l behind G Force (9-1) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Fountain Of Youth (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Pushed along to soon track leaders, pushed along from halfway, challenged in 2nd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead near finish, won at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun beating Extortionist (9-3) by hd, 6 ran.
Guerre (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders near side, pushed along halfway, edged right and weakened well over 1f out, last of 16, 10l behind Sole Power (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Abstraction (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Prominent, led halfway, edged left over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Sir Maximilian (9-7) at Tipperary 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Aug.
