towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, rider dropped rein briefly inside final furlong, went 2nd close home
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, well in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never nearer
in rear, ridden 2f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out when rider dropped whip, every chance inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
in touch, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden when slightly hampered approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, wide and headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, joined inside final furlong, asserted towards finish
close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
This St Leger trial has attracted a strong field and it's tempting to row in with Hoo Ya Mal, now having a first start for George Boughey. The step-up to 1m4f in The Derby generated dramatic improvement and he'll be tough to beat if backing up that performance. However, DEAUVILLE LEGEND is also a colt very much on the upgrade and is preferred, despite race conditions seeing him concede 3lb all round. He battled on well to land the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket when his running style suggested this slightly shorter trip may benefit. His Newmarket victim, Al Qareem, is an obvious threat as the pair were only separated by a head but the highly progressive New London could well emerge as the main danger to the front two, although Masakela, fourth in The Derby, is also a clear form danger.
Deauville Legend (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, closed over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong when hung right, driven and edged left inside final furlong, all out, won at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Al Qareem (9-3) by hd, 6 ran.
Al Qareem (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Led, 3 lengths clear halfway, ridden and headed approaching final furlong when slightly hampered, switched left and rallied inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Deauville Legend (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Cresta (FR) 11-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, ran on final furlong but never reached challenging position, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Claymore (9-2) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Grand Alliance (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Slowly away, held up in rear, given reminder halfway, headway to challenge over 2f out, edged left and ridden to lead just over 1f out, wandered left and headed final 100yds, rallied well final strides, just held by winner, 2nd of 6, shd behind Changingoftheguard (9-2) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Hoo Ya Mal 150-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway and switched out inside final 3f, soon chasing leaders, switched back left to inside over 2f out, soon hung left on camber, went 2nd inside final 2f, no chance with impressive winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Desert Crown (9-2) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Jack Darcy (IRE) 10-3 (9-9) Chased leaders, closed 3f out, led over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Jul beating Special Envoy (9-11) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.
Masekela (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Keen in touch in rear, improved a place 8f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 7 1/2l behind Deauville Legend (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
New London (IRE) 6-4fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul beating Swilcan Bridge (8-3) by 3l, 12 ran.
Sussex (USA) 15-8 (9-10) Made all, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well final furlong, won at Navan 1m 2f gf in Jul beating Shajak (9-10) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
West Wind Blows (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Made all, ridden over 2f out, went clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Hamilton 1m 3f lst stks (1) gf in Jul beating Groundbreaker (9-7) by 7 1/2l, 4 ran.
