tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no extra under 2f out and soon dropped to rear, eased
prominent, led or disputed lead after 2f, pushed along early straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, some headway early straight, soon ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong
led early, remained prominent, ridden and no impression in 2nd under 2f out, no extra over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
mid-division, 5th halfway, headway in straight and pushed along to lead over 1f out, soon ridden and headed narrowly final 100 yards, rallied to lead on line
held up in rear, pushed along on outer early straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra final furlong
rear of mid-division, switched right early straight, ridden and no impression in 8th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 4th on line
rear of mid-division, closer early straight, pushed along and headway to go 2nd 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 100 yards, kept on, headed on line
mid-division on inner, pushed along early straight and headway between horses into 4th over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, no impression on principals
This has been a brilliant race for UK raiders, four of them winning in its six-year history. David O'Meara has been responsible for two of them and Escobar arrives with a chance after a close third in the Group 3 Supreme Stakes at Goodwood though he'd been well and truly put in his place by SAFE VOYAGE in the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes earlier. John Quinn's eleven-times winner had his revenge over One Master, who beat him in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October, on the Knavesmire and victory number twelve looks on the cards. Century Dream isn't far behind with nine successes and he's looked better than ever this campaign, easily landing the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood last month. Lancaster House heads the home challenge despite an odds-on defeat by Romanised in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh though stable companion Royal Dornoch bounced back to his best to beat Ancient Spirit over the track and trip a month ago.
Ancient Spirit (GER) 9-4fav (9-9) Led, ridden to assert and 2 lengths clear 1f out, under pressure and drifted right inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Royal Dornoch (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Century Dream (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Tracked leader, challenged going well 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, ran on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug beating Sir Busker (9-4) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Escobar (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader 1f, handy 3rd on inside, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd, never going pace to challenge, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Happy Power (9-3) at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Aug.
Lancaster House (IRE) 10-11fav (9-10) Soon led, pushed along 1 1/2f out, ridden and headed early final furlong, no impression on winner and kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Romanised (9-10) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Jul.
Safe Voyage (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at York 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Aug beating One Master (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Trais Fluors 13-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, some headway on inner early straight, 2nd and ridden over 1f out, soon no impression and dropped to 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Royal Dornoch (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Surrounding (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Broke well, tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2f out, 3rd 1f out, ridden and no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Romanised (9-10) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Jul.
Royal Dornoch (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, closer early straight and not clear run over 1f out, switched left and headway between horses early final furlong, kept on well to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Ancient Spirit (9-9) by nk, 7 ran.
Sinawann (IRE) 18-5 (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, challenged 1f out, no extra closing stages, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Armory (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Vatican City (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, eased from 2f out, last of 7, 36 1/2l behind Mohaather (9-8) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
