in rear, 10th halfway, closed 1f out, ridden and good headway to lead narrowly final 100 yards, kept on best under pressure
chased clear leader, 4th halfway, progress to 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, dropped to 4th final 100 yards, no extra
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, closed 1f out, almost on terms final 100 yards, kept on, not match winner close home
tracked clear leader, 2nd halfway, closed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased close home
in rear, 9th halfway, under pressure 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no headway, never a factor
towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened under 1f out
settled 3rd, ridden over 1f out, not much room on inner inside final furlong, no impression, eased closing stages
towards rear, progress to 5th halfway, not much room on inner 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong
broke well to lead, 4 lengths clear after 3f, reduced advantage 3f out, under pressure and ridden over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace
mid-division, dropped to 7th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong to 5th close home, no threat
The Grey Gatsby won this in 2014 when at his peak and it takes a top-class performer to score here. He's now with Dermot Weld but not in the same class nowadays and the stable have a better chance with Group 1 Man O' War Stakes winner Zhukova, though she disappointed in the Pretty Polly. Sir Michael Stoute doesn't run horses in Group 1's in Ireland without good reason and Poet's Word has improved so much from handicapping that he can be given a chance of some prize money though this looks all about CHURCHILL. The dual 2000 Guineas winner wasn't at his best at Royal Ascot and couldn't handle the late thrust of Ulysses when tackling this trip for the first time in the Juddmonte but is likely to be ridden with more restraint here and should again take care of Epsom runner-up Cliffs Of Moher. Eminent looks a major threat as Martin Meade's charge, though beaten by the selection in the first colt's classic, bounced back to make all in a Group 2 at Deauville in very impressive style and is still progressing.
Decorated Knight 16-1 (9-6) Held up behind leaders in 4th, pushed along over 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 8 1/2l behind Ulysses (9-6) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Aug.
Moonlight Magic 5-1 (9-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly challenged leader final 100 yards, kept on well, led final strides, won at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul beating Deauville (9-12) by hd, 5 ran.
Poet's Word (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, travlelling well in 3rd approaching final 2f, led inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Aug beating Second Step (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Success Days (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Made all, niggled along and slowly wound pace up from 3f out, driven over 1f out, hard pressed towards finish, held on gamely, won at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jul beating Mondialiste (9-3) by ns, 7 ran.
The Grey Gatsby (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Raced 4th, 3rd halfway, travelled well into 2nd under 3f out, under pressure 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, no extra 1f out, dropped to 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Spanish Steps (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Zhukova (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Chased clear leader in 2nd, improved to lead travelling well 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, dropped to 4th at line, 4th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Nezwaah (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Churchill (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Close 2nd until 9f out, tracked leaders, effort 3f out, strong challenge over 2f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd and no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Ulysses (9-6) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Aug.
Cliffs Of Moher (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Led, headed 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 6 3/4l behind Ulysses (9-6) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Aug.
Eminent (IRE) (9-2) won at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Salouen (9-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Taj Mahal (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) 2-3p, strong rally, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Oscar Performance (9-0) at Arlington 1m 2f stks gd in Aug.
