soon led, ridden over 1f out and strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on well closing stages
ran 3rd, pushed along 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra
broke well, settled back in rear, pushed along early straight and soon no impression, no extra from 1f out
tracked leader in 2nd, headway over 1f out and ridden to challenge inside final furlong, no impression on winner close home
Another race seemingly dominated by Ballydoyle with three of the five entries. The Frankel colt Nelson couldn't quite peg back Roaring Lion in the Royal Lodge but that looked a very good run and he'll ensure THE PENTAGON doesn't have things his own way. A Group 3 winner here in July, Ryan Moore's mount ran very well when a close third behind stable companion Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion in the Racing Post Trophy where he was battling on strongly over that mile. Delano Roosevelt finished behind Nelson here in September and couldn't handle Saxon Warrior in the Beresford at Naas but he's the type to make great strides this campaign and is no forlorn hope. Burgundy Boy was behind the selection here in July but has moved to Dermot Weld, who won this with Harzand in 2016, while Lethal Steps won his first two but couldn't cope when stepped up in class later.
Nelson (IRE) 5-6fav (9-0) Pressed leader until slightly outpaced 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, ridden and strong challenge near finish, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Roaring Lion (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Sep.
The Pentagon (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Sweating, held up towards rear, headway far side of group chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Saxon Warrior (9-1) at Doncaster 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Burgundy Boy (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, soon 4th, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Flag Of Honour (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Oct.
Delano Roosevelt (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, under pressure under 3f out, kept on without troubling winner inside final furlong into 2nd at line, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Saxon Warrior (9-3) at Naas 1m Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Lethal Steps 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 4th and ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression on leaders under 1f out, kept on without threatening, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Riyazan (9-3) at Dundalk 7f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
