chased leaders on outer and 4th halfway, pushed along from 2f out and ridden in 2nd over 1f out, no impression and dropped to 3rd close home
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead under 2f out, soon ridden and stretched clear inside final furlong, easily
mid-division and 6th halfway, pushed along over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
chased leaders on inner and 5th halfway, pushed along from 2f out, ridden from 1f out and kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders on outer and 3rd halfway, weakened from 2f out
mid-division early, dropped to 8th halfway, pushed along from 2f out, ridden from 1f out and kept on into 7th inside final furlong
towards rear and 7th halfway, pushed along from 2f out, ridden and kept on into 4th inside final furlong
raced in rear, pushed along and some progress on outer from 2f out, no impression and weakened inside final furlong
soon led, pushed along and headed uner 2f out, 3rd when slightly impeded inside final furlong, soon dropped to 5th
Velveteen won a very strong maiden here last month but couldn't quite make the transition to this level when dropped to the minimum trip on a return visit when Sportsmanship was close behind. The latter looks the stable second string behind Intelligence Cross, just behind Mehmas in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket but beaten further by that winner in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. That probably wasn't his true form and he'll be difficult to beat but HOLY CAT was very impressive when strongly supported at Leopardstown and she's in the Cheveley Park Stakes so she's taken to remain unbeaten. Jim Bolger has a tremendous record in the race and wouldn't be risking the newcomer Teo's Music at this level unless convinced he is useful.
De Boss Man (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, pushed along in 2nd 2f out, disputed lead and ridden over 1f out, led 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, all out near line, won at Curragh 6f mdn gf in Aug beating Ice Canyon (9-5) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Intelligence Cross (USA) 5-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, pushed along and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong, eased when held close home, 3rd of 4, 3 1/4l behind Mehmas (9-3) at Goodwood 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Sportsmanship (USA) 3-1 (9-3) In rear, 8th 2f out, soon pushed along and some progress, checked 1f out, ridden and kept on without threatening final furlong, 5th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Hit The Bid (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Holy Cat (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Settled 4th, ridden and headway to lead 1f out, soon asserted, kept on strongly, easily, won at Leopardstown 6f mdn fll gf in Aug beating Alphabet (9-0) by 4 3/4l, 13 ran.
Mayleaf Shine (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, pushed along in 7th 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Hit The Bid (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Solar Halo (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 10th 2f out, soon pushed along, went 6th 1f out, kept on without threatening in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 6l behind De Boss Man (9-5) at Curragh 6f mdn gf in Aug.
Swish (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division on inner, ridden from 2f out, no impression final furlong, 9th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Hit The Bid (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Teo's Music (IRE) Intense Focus filly out of Teo's Sister.
Velveteen 10-1 (9-0) Soon prominent, pushed along and disputed lead briefly 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Hit The Bid (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Born To Be (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress to lead over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Cork 6f mdn Yielding in Aug beating Mack Attack (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
