in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, short of room over 4f out, headway and not clear run well over 1f out, switched right and ridden entering final furlong, ran on, not reached winner
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon headed and weakened
tracked leaders, struggling halfway, soon beaten
tracked leaders, switched right and headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon headed and weakened
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
Dual Group 1 winner George Washington has already established himself as the leading juvenile among a powerful Aidan O'Brien string and is taken to complete a hat-trick of successes in the grade at the main expense of stablemate Horatio Nelson and Sir Percy. The last mentioned stepped up on previous form when landing the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in July and an absence since then should not be of concern with the stable in such good form. Sylvester Kirk's Opera Cape is going the right way but is strictly held by Horatio Nelson on running in France last time. Aidan O'Brien's youngster has done little wrong and with his ability proven under testing conditions rates an obvious danger to the selection. It looked a weak renewal of Doncaster's Champagne Stakes that Close To You dead-heated in last month, while Red Clubs has failed to trouble the judge since his Coventry Stakes success and is now beginning to look exposed. Primary may find the going too testing for him and a safer bet looks to be George Washington, who has done nothing but improve since his debut defeat here over five furlongs. A lack of form on ground this soft is of slight concern but such has been the impressive nature of the son of Danehill's wins that he is taken to make it five on the bounce today.
Close To You (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, challenged inside last, joined leader on line, won at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Sept deadheating with Silent Times (8-10), 7 ran.
Horatio Nelson (IRE) 4-7fav (9-0) Made most, headed briefly over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) gs beating Opera Cape (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Humungous (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 7f nov stk (5) pol in Aug beating Shamila (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Opera Cape 4-1 (9-0) Prominent, led briefly over 1f out, no extra when headed, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Horatio Nelson (9-0) at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Palace Episode (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Leo (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sept.
Primary (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Led, veered left 5f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead post, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo stk (3) gf in Sept beating Alhaitham (8-10) by a shd, 8 ran.
Red Clubs (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Prominent, outpaced over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Amadeus Wolf (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Sept.
Sir Percy 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge and edged left inside final furlong, hard driven and ran on gamely to lead near finish, won at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul beating Cool Creek (8-11) by a nk, 7 ran.
George Washington (IRE) 2-11fav (9-0) Held up, stumbled shortly after start, 3rd and headway 2f out, led over 1f out, egded left, kept on well, won at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 gd in Sept beating Golden Arrow (9-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
