held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
held up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, never trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, driven 3f out, soon lost place, ridden and weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, kept on well
in touch, driven halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, no impression
led, driven 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong
Aidan O'Brien has done well in this race in the past and is represented by no fewer than four of the nine runners this year with Septimus the clear pick of them and he gets the vote ahead of stablemate Dylan Thomas and Winged Cupid. The last mentioned has done everything asked of him so far in winning races at Sandown and Newbury, and should go on the ground, but this represents a step up in class for the son of In The Wings. Dylan Thomas may find the rain coming against him, while another of the O'Brien inmates Arabian Prince is also unproven on ground this soft and is not certain to be suited by the conditions. Palace Episode was well held in the Dewhurst last week and faces no easy task stepping up in trip, while a place is probably the best that Kilworth can hope for. Septimus has shown a likeable attitude in his two starts so far though and with more improvement to come now that he races on a softer surface looks to be the one that they all have to beat.
Arabian Prince (USA) 9-1 (8-11) Took keen hold in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway on outside 2f out, led briefly approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Blitzkrieg (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd.
Best Alibi (IRE) 4-6fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead post, won at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Acheekyone (8-11) by a nk, 13 ran.
Dylan Thomas (IRE) 13-8fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to dispute lead briefly approaching final furlong, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Blitzkrieg (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd.
Kilworth (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Leo (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sept.
Palace Episode (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 8, 7l behind Sir Percy (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs.
Septimus (IRE) 4-6fav (9-0) held up in touch, headway early straight, ridden to challenge from 1 1/2f out, led 100yds from finish, driven out and ran on well, won at Curragh 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs beating Rekaab (9-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Winged Cupid (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Pressed leader, led over 3f out, stayed on well final 2f, won at Newbury 1m 2yo stk (3) gf in Sept beating Shahin (8-10) by 2l, 11 ran.
Hazeymm (IRE) 11-8fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, slightly outpaced inside final 2f, rallied well to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Sharpsburg (8-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mountain (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Led, hung right and headed over 2 1/2f out, 4th over 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Kalmez (9-0) at Navan 1m 2yo mdn c&g gd.
