in rear, ridden along halfway, headway into 4th 1f out and led 100 yards out, kept on best under pressure
prominent until halfway, soon no extra and weakened from 2f out
always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th 2f out, tried to challenge 1f out but no impression in 3rd final 100 yards
prominent, 2nd halfway and led 1 1/2f out, headed under pressure inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, 8th halfway, switched right under 2f out and headway to challenge 1f out, ridden and led briefly inside final furlong, headed 100 yards out and kept on same pace under pressure
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
broke well and led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra and weakened
chased leaders on outer, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and no extra inside final furlong
Croisultan likes it around here and wasn't beaten far in this a year ago. Nor was Arctic, who is in better form and found 5f too sharp last time. Starspangledbanner, a high-class performer in Australia and winner of the Golden Jubilee and July Cup in 2010, returned after failing at stud to start joint-favourite with FIRE LILY in a Group 3 here last month but weakened very quickly and was beaten a long way by David Wachman's filly. Much better is expected here but the winner can probably go in again as she found the minimum trip against her here last time. Any further rain will help the very useful Maarek, who won the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle in heavy ground while Lady Wingshot should be suited by this trip after being found out over a mile here on Sunday. Firebeam has been running well and only faded close home in a Group 2 over 7f at Goodwood in July and wouldn't be travelling over without good reason.
Maarek 9-4fav (9-8) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd closing stages, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Soul (9-4) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Jul.
Arctic (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, soon no extra, kept on one pace, 7th of 9, 5l behind Inxile (9-9) at Tipperary 5f Listed stks (1) hvy in Aug.
Croisultan (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Settled in rear, never a factor, ridden early straight and no extra from well over 1f out, eased when beaten inside final furlong, last of 10, 12l behind One Spirit (9-6) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Fire Lily (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Slowest away, soon well off pace towards rear, ridden to close in 4th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd close home without getting to winner, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind My Girl Anna (9-2) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Firebeam 13-2 (9-2) Pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 4l behind Chachamaidee (8-13) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Santo Padre (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and lost place 2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 9, 6l behind Inxile (9-9) at Tipperary 5f Listed stks (1) hvy in Aug.
Starspangledbanner (AUS) 9-4fav (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no extra, last of 6, 23l behind Fire Lily (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) in Aug.
Lady Wingshot (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up, 6th early straight, no impression from 2f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Famous Name (9-12) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 (1).
Swiss Dream 6-1 (9-7) Raced in 2nd early led before halfway, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3l behind Fire Lily (9-2) at Leopardstown 6f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft in Jun.
Bulbul (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, some headway on stand's side early straight, 4th and no impression from over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Marvada (9-7) at Naas 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) hvy in Jul.
Experience (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace final furlong, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Tiddliwinks (10-0) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
After (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Led early, remained prominent until ridden and no extra early straight, weakened, last of 11, 21l behind Chachamaidee (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m flls Grp 1 (1) gd.
