tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hampered when weakening over 1f out
held up, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on when not much room and hampered inside final furlong, no extra close home
made all, led steady pace, quickened over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, jinked right inside final furlong, kept on gamely
held up, headway to go 2nd over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, not much room on inside and switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
Scorpion will take some stopping in his bid for a second Group One win of the season. Hard Top and The Geezer can make sure he faces a stiff test along the way, while Kong is at least expected to get the better of his stablemate, Tawqeet, but he still has a little to prove after a lack lustre effort in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. This year's Chester Vase winner, Hattan, has an outside chance on the pick of his form and he could be the surprise package. Avalon completes the line up, but is here on his own merits after a couple of promising performances. Jamie Spencer rides for the Aidan O'Brien stable for the first time since he relinquished his job as stable jockey at Ballydoyle. And his mount, as arguably the least exposed in the line up, should not be ruled out too quickly. The step up in distance is expected to suit Avalon and it will be no surprise to see him make the selection pull out all the stops. Tawqeet has run with credit in each of his five starts this term. However, he takes a huge step up in class and needs to run out of his skin to bridge the gap. Hattan was one of the first to commit for home in the Derby and was easily brushed aside as a result. His trainer, Clive Brittan, is of the opinion the extra two and a half furlongs will help his charge. So, Alan Munro, who has his first ride in this particular classic, is likely to be instructed to ride him with a touch more patience on this occasion. Quite whether he is actually good enough is debatable and he is for the brave only. Kong was given plenty of time to get over his own Derby exertions and may not have been cherry ripe when he failed to sparkle last time. John Dunlop does know exactly what it takes to prime one to win this prestigious prize, though. And it could be perilous to rule him out. Sir Michael Stoute has one of the most frustrating St Leger records as a trainer - having hitting the post on five separate occasions. Hard Top is tasked with breaking the hoodoo this year and, as he showed his worth when fending off The Geezer at York, he has the right attitude to go close again. Nevertheless, Scorpion makes more appeal after his sterling effort in running Hurricane Run to a half length in the Irish Derby. That was followed up by a scintillating display in the Grand Prix de Paris and it is that ability to quicken at the end of his races which makes Scorpion stand out from the pack today.
Hard Top (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) In touch, chased leader over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating The Geezer (8-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Hattan (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Held up, came stand-side straight, headway and driven to lead group over 1f out, ran on well final furlong to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Eccentric (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Kong (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Hard Top (8-9) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Scorpion (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (9-2) Led or disputed lead throughout, ran on strongly from over 1f out, won at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul beating Desideratum (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Tawqeet (USA) 11-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on to go clear over 1f out, won at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Aug beating Glistening (9-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
The Geezer 6-4fav (8-9) Held up in rear, headway to track leaders over 7f out, led over 3f out, no extra when headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Hard Top (8-9) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Avalon 6-1 (8-9) Behind, pushed along over 6f out, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on well to be nearest at finish, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Hard Top (8-9) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
