in touch, headway 3f out, ridden disputing well held 3rd over 1f out, 4th and one pace final furlong
always behind, hung left and struggling over 2f out, behind and eased over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, slightly outpaced when not much room on rails over 2f out, kept on same pace when in the clear final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, one pace in 3rd when edged left over 1f out, kept on
steadied start, held up last, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace and no impression final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd well over 1f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
took keen hold and always towards rear
A very tough getting-out stakes in which most would have some sort of chance. Greek War ended Willow Beck's winning run at Newmarket and has scope for further improvement. Classic Punch is staging a revival while David Wachman sends over Hot Bed again after an excellent run at York three weeks ago. The handicapper may have taken a chance with Black Spirit while Proud Chieftain is running into form and Viewpoint has a good strike rate, though was a long way behind Sennockian Star at Ascot in July. Mark Johnston's charge looks to have little chance of reversing earlier Newmarket running with Tha'ir on worse terms, however, and Saeed bin Suroor's colt is a leading contender here. CONDUCT was having his first run for more than a year when a length behind Proud Chieftain at York so is sure to strip fitter here. On 3lb better terms, he can reverse that form and land this as he's very lightly raced for his age and Willie Haggas clearly thinks there are more races to be won with him.
Black Spirit (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 14l behind David Livingston (9-3) at Haydock 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Greek War (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, soon pushed along, hard driven over 4f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug beating Willow Beck (9-6) by 2l, 7 ran.
Proud Chieftain 20-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway under pressure between horses over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd final 100 yards, kept on in closing stages, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Vasily (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Resurge (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 11th of 15, 6l behind Vasily (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Conduct (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, switched to stand side rail 6f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 4l behind Strictly Silver (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Viewpoint (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In touch in rear, ridden and headway to challenge 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Kassiano (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f cond Stakes (2) gd in Aug.
Tha'ir (IRE) 5-4fav (8-8) Chased clear winner, closed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Fattsota (9-2) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f cond Stakes (3) gs in Aug.
Sennockian Star 5-1fav (8-13) Soon led, ridden and headed 1f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair until 100 yards out, plugged on same pace in 4th, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Vasily (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Clon Brulee (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never in contention, 12th of 16, 10l behind Viewpoint (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Aussie Reigns (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furong, went 2nd post, just failed, 2nd of 9, hd behind Circus Turn (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Ottoman Empire (FR) 9-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, ridden when squeezed for room approaching straight and soon no extra, eased when beaten inside final furlong, last of 16, 26l behind Tandem (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul.
Hot Bed (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, going on close home, went 3rd final strides, 3rd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Mont Ras (8-10) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Spifer (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Nabucco (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Classic Punch (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Took keen hold tracking leader, driven over 1f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug beating Triple Eight (9-4) by nk, 8 ran.
