prominent, driven to challenge over 3f out, led over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up, hard ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, lost place and pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead close home
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra last strides
led until ridden and headed over 1f out, soon faded
held up in touch, keen hold, effort to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on
A field full of very promising colts here and Champlain is just preferred to Admiralofthefleet, with He's A Decoy and Rallying Cry others of particular interest. The selection ran on really well to take the Chesham Stakes at the Royal meeting last month and now steps up to Group 2 company for the first time. He travelled particularly well that day, oozing class and he should be more than capable of bridging the gap and with the promise of plenty more to come he gets the nod. Admiralofthefleet took a bit more getting going but thrashed a maiden field at Gowran Park last time and the vibes from Ballydoyle have been very good since. Johnny Murtagh looks set for an exciting ride. He's A Decoy looks like a colt going places after victories at both Leopardstown and last time in Listed company at Cork. The return to 7f should be no problem and he can go very close. The others are all winners and while no one is totally discounted, Rallying Cry showed he was plenty straight enough when landing a maiden over c&d at the beginning of the month and could be anything, but Champlain looks the one to be on here and gets the nod.
Admiralofthefleet (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Soon led, joined early straight, quickened clear from under 2f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 7f 2yo mdn gf in Jun beating Trachonitis (8-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Champlain 7-2 (9-3) Held up behind, steady headway to lead well over 1f out, ran on strongly, ridden out, won at Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun beating Country Song (9-5) by 2l, 11 ran.
Charlie Farnsbarns (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) Led 1f, tracked leader after, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun beating Kay Gee Be (9-3) by 3l, 9 ran.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, joined close home, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun deadheating with Norisan (9-3), 8 ran.
He's A Decoy (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, challenged and led from 1f out, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cork 6f 2yo lst stk frm in Jun beating Varsity Blues (9-1) by 2l, 5 ran.
Hinton Admiral 10-11fav (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, edged badly left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Jun beating Wait Watcher (8-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Rallying Cry (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway on outside over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) frm beating Farleigh House (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
