tracked leaders and keen, headway to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on gamely
held up towards rear and pulled hard, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, challenged winner inside final furlong, held near finish
with leader, one pace when not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, soon hung right, headed inside final furlong, no extra
More than half this field contested the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last month when Lethal Force, in first-time blinkers, edged out Strong Suit with Majestic Myles and Pastoral Player further behind. Soul was a disappointing sixth and Libranno last on that occasion. The headgear may not work a second time for Clive Cox's three-year-old, however, and the ground won't be as quick here either which suggests the form book should be taken with a pinch of salt. We'll take the runner-up to come out best of the quintet today as he makes a significantly swift reappearance after finding 6f too sharp in last week's Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock and Richard Hughes again prefers him to Libranno. FOXTROT ROMEO is just as interesting, however, as he was second in the Irish 2000 Guineas before running well in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Not suited by the track when behind Libranno at Goodwood last time, Bryan Smart's colt could gain compensation here. Penitent's connections will welcome recent rain but the ground may still not be soft enough for David O'Meara's tough gelding.
Libranno 10-1 (9-3) Chased clear winner, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened soon after, last of 9, 11l behind Lethal Force (8-12) at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Majestic Myles (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) With leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra final 110 yards, 8th of 13, 5l behind Society Rock (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) fm.
Pastoral Player 11-2 (9-3) Held up in last pair, headway 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, never in contention, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Lethal Force (8-12) at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Penitent 3-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 8l behind Duntle (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Soul (AUS) 2-1fav (9-3) Steadied start, took keen hold and held up in touch, headway over 2f out, went well held 2nd inside final 2f until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Lethal Force (8-12) at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Strong Suit (USA) 11-2 (9-3) Led narrowly, ridden 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon lost place, no extra, 7th of 13, 5l behind Society Rock (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) fm.
Foxtrot Romeo (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, headway over 5f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on same pace enteirng final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Chachamaidee (8-13) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Lethal Force (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Made all, set strong pace and soon clear, still clear when hard driven and edged left inside final furlong, just lasted but unchallenged, won at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug beating Strong Suit (9-3) by nk, 9 ran.
