Aidan O’Brien has a good record in this contest and BLUEGRASS has leading claims on these terms. Last seen finishing third behind Desert Crown in the Dante at York, the St Leger entry should stay this far and gets the vote. Manu Et Corde is fitted with a hood after a poor effort here but Melbourne Cup entry Point King is progressing well and has plenty of scope. The latter is preferred to stable companion and Chester handicap winner Temple Of Artemis while Shajak and Simply Glorious have plenty to find at the weights.
Bluegrass (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, ridden and rallied entering final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 5 3/4l behind Desert Crown (9-2) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
French Claim (FR) 16-1 (9-2) Soon disputed, led after 1f, ridden and pressed 3f out, headed 2 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Westover (9-2) at Curragh 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Mr Alan 50-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear of mid-division, switched sharply left over 2f out, headway out wide over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 8th of 19, 3 3/4l behind Secret State (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun.
Temple Of Artemis (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along to chase leader over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, found extra when pressed towards, won at Chester 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in May beating Mr Alan (9-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Inuit (FR) 14-1 (8-12) Led, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and headed under 2f out, no impression on winner 1f out, 3rd and no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Earl Of Tyrone (9-9) at Limerick 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Jun.
Magellan Strait (IRE) 28-1 (9-8) Briefly pushed along from stalls, tracked leaders on inner and 4th halfway, pushed along from 3f out, ridden and switched to outer from 2f out, went 2nd from 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong to lead on line, won at Limerick 1m 4f mdn gd in Jul beating Nusret (9-8) by ns, 11 ran.
Manu Et Corde (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along under 4f out, ridden and dropped to 5th early straight, no extra from 1 1/2f out, last of 8, 12 1/4l behind Gear Up (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Yashin (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off and eased final 2f, last of 19, dist behind Secret State (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun.
Once Upon A River (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Soon disputed lead, took keen hold, headed at halfway, disputed lead entering straight, soon ridden, headed 1 1/2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 7 1/2l behind Atomic Jones (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Point King (IRE) Evensfav (9-12) Broke well to lead, headed after 2f, 2nd to clear leader 7f out, took closer order 6f out, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on best under pressure closing stages, won at Leopardstown 1m 5f gd in Jul beating Waterville (10-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Shajak (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Held up in touch in last, headway into 2nd and ridden under 2f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Sussex (9-10) at Navan 1m 2f gf in Jul.
Simply Glorious (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 4th 4f out, pushed along 2f out and ridden 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Atavique (9-9) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp fll Yielding in Jun.
Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Slow into stride and in rear early, closer in 7th halfway, 5th and switched to outer to challenge from 2f out, soon quickened smartly to lead and ridden clear inside final furlong, impressive, won at Killarney 1m 3f mdn fll gd in Jul beating Honeycomb (9-3) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
