chased leaders, in touch in 5th at halfway, ridden in 6th over 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, no extra
mid-division and took keen hold, headway to lead at halfway, joined 3f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, weakened
in touch in rear on outer, ridden on inner 2f out, moderate 5th 1f out, went moderate 3rd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening
chased leaders, took keen hold, 3rd on outer at halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, soon no impression on winner, moderate 3rd over 1f out, no extra
disputed lead, headed briefly at halfway, disputed lead 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly final furlong, comfortably
dwelt, in touch in rear, ridden entering straight, no impression
disputed lead, headed at halfway, closer 4th 3f out, ridden entering straight, went 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner 1f out, kept on final furlong
This has been a good race for Aidan O'Brien who has won it several times though not with leading lights. Ontario wouldn't be at the top of the pecking order at Ballydoyle but his overall form, especially when placed at Group 2 level, makes him an obvious candidate. MASEN went close behind two Ballydoyle runners in the Group 3 Tyros Stakes and may have won but for being impeded at a crucial stage. He got badly upset in the stalls before the National Stakes and finished last but can bounce back from that. Poetic Flare beat the useful Lipizzaner at Naas back in March and was by no means disgraced in last weekend's Dewhurst so he's expected to run well as is Zaffy's Pride after her two victories at Dundalk.
Erzindjan (IRE) 13-8 (9-7) Held up, headway after halfway and led 2f out, ridden to assert and 2 lengths clear 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Cork 7f mdn hvy in Aug beating Vocito (9-7) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Inca Prince (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) A little slow into stride, waited with on outer, soon mid-division, closed travelling smoothly straight, ridden to challenge and on terms over 1f out, led inside final furlong and edged left, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Sep beating Feeling Tip Top (9-1) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Mexico City (FR) 13-2 (9-5) Waited with behind leaders, raced near side group, pushed along under 3f out and headway, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Ace Aussie (9-5) at Cork 7f mdn gf in Sep.
Ontario (IRE) 5-6fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, travelling well entering straight, pushed along in 2nd 1f out, ridden to challenge and strongly pressed winner 150 yards out, kept on same pace, no impression final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Sweet Gardenia (9-0) at Tipperary 7f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Poetic Flare (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 8 1/2l behind St Mark's Basilica (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Star Image 80-1 (9-2) A little keen, waited with towards rear, pushed along under 3f out, no impression over 1f out, one pace, 9th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Elysium (9-2) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) Yielding in Sep.
Zaffy's Pride (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Towards rear, progress after 2 1/2f, 5th halfway, effort and ridden under 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f lst stks (1) pol in Oct beating Magnanimous (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Federal (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Pushed along early, soon chased leaders on inner, 5th and switched right 2f out, closer in 4th 1f out, strong run under hands and heels to lead 75 yards out, edged left, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 7f mdn gd in Jul beating Alqabeela (9-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
Masen 14-1 (9-5) Upset in stalls and re-loaded, chased leaders and took keen hold, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, weakened, last of 10, 10 1/4l behind Thunder Moon (9-5) at Curragh 7f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
