towards rear and 8th halfway, ridden from 2f out and kept on without threatening from 1f out
chased leaders in 3rd on outer, improved to challenge over 2f out and soon ridden, no impression and dropped to 5th inside final furlong
raced in rear, pushed along from 2f out, no impression from 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, improved to challenge over 2f out and ridden over 1f out, no impression and dropped to 4th inside final furlong
mid-division and 5th halfway, switched to outer over 1f out and soon ridden, kept on well into inside final furlong to go 2nd on line, not threatening winner
mid-division and 6th on outer from halfway, ridden over 1f out and soon went 2nd, no impression inside final furlong and dropped to 3rd on line
mid-division and 7th halfway, pushed along from 2f out and no impression under pressure inside final furlong
towards rear early, good progress into 4th on inner halfway, ridden from 1f out, soon no impression and eased
made all, pressed over 2f out and soon pushed along, kept on strongly inside final furlong
Gordon Lord Byron has won this for the past two years and has bounced back to his best this season. He only just failed to overhaul Only Mine over 6f here earlier this month though had been behind Flight Risk over this trip at Leopardstown earlier. The winner didn't run as well when tackling a mile here last time and needs to do better and though Aidan O'Brien has three entries with the three-year-old Spirit of Valor probably the best of them after an excellent run in the Jersey Sakes, none may be good enough to repel a strong UK challenge. DUTCH CONNECTION (NAP) has been racing exclusively at Group 1 level since landing the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood almost a year ago. His overall form gives him the edge over Stormy Antarctic, who hasn't quite recaptured last season's form and was beaten in Listed company last time.
Cougar Mountain (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Unruly leaving paddock, in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 16, 6 1/4l behind Ribchester (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Dutch Connection 25-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 6l behind Ribchester (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Flight Risk (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Slowly away and held up in last, ridden 2f out, headway into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind True Valour (9-0) at Curragh 1m lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Only Mine (9-2) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
So Beloved 12-1 (9-4) Led, quickened well over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 5, 4 1/4l behind Morando (9-4) at Windsor 1m lst stks (1) gs in Jul.
Stormy Antarctic 6-4fav (9-4) Settled in last, headway well over 1f out, every chance throughout final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, shd behind Morando (9-4) at Windsor 1m lst stks (1) gs in Jul.
Mubtasim (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear near side, switched left and good headway on rails over 1f out, ran on to lead group and 3rd overall near finish, 3rd of 20, 2 1/2l behind Le Brivido (9-1) at Ascot 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Peace Envoy (FR) 33-1 (9-0) Raced wide towards rear, weakened 2f out, last of 8, dist behind Barney Roy (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Spirit of Valor (USA) 66-1 (9-1) Raced near side, always prominent, ridden to lead just over 1f out, ran on under pressure, hung right and ran on inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 20, nk behind Le Brivido (9-1) at Ascot 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
