soon raced in 5th, effort straight, no impression from 2f out, soon no extra
pushed along to soon lead and dispute, pushed along again over 3f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, headed on line
held up, soon in rear, pulled up quickly under 3f out
soon close up and disputed lead, headed inside final furlong, no extra and slightly impeded near finish
took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort straight, stayed on well final furlong to lead on line
tracked leaders, pushed along after halfway, under pressure in 4th 3f out, ran on without threatening inside final furlong
waited with, soon raced in 6th, pushed along 3f out, headway when tight for room on inner inside final furlong, kept on well without reaching front pair
Deauville is proving hard to win with nowadays but has finished second twice in this grade this season. He was last seen in the Arlington Million and MING ran in the Secretariat at Arlington Park and was a bit unlucky having being hampered early in the straight. He’d earlier only won minor contests at Gowran and Navan but is a definite improver so gets a speculative vote. Verbal Dexterity won the Group 1 National Stakes as a two-year-old and could be anything but his absence since running fourth in the Racing Post Trophy in October has to be a concern. The 2016 winner Success Days is eased in grade and holds Beautiful Morning on the form book, though significant rain would aid the latter.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division early, dropped towards rear halfway, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 17, dist behind Riven Light (10-1) at Galway 1m 1f hcp sft in Jul.
Deauville (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Inside, mild gain, 6th of 9, 4l behind Robert Bruce (8-10) at Arlington 1m 2f stks gd in Aug.
Reckless Gold (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out where switched right, soon chased leaders and kept on same pace without threatening, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Yucatan (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Success Days (IRE) (9-5) 9th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Alpha Centauri (8-9) at Deauville 1m stks gd in Aug.
Beautiful Morning 7-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and closer 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Cliffs Of Moher (9-3) at Naas 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Verbal Dexterity (IRE) 5-2 (9-1) Never travelled with any fluency and pushed along to hold place in chasing group, closed halfway, pressed winner and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, dropped to 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Saxon Warrior (9-1) at Doncaster 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Broadway (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Soon raced in 9th, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Snowy Winter (9-8) at Gowran Park 1m 1f lst fll stks (1) gf in Aug.
Ming (IRE) 45-1 (8-7) Bump st, check 3/16, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Carrick (8-7) at Arlington 1m 2f stks gd in Aug.