held up towards rear, switched right over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden and led over 1f out, soon headed and stayed on
held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway and not clear run from 2f out, switched left 1f out, ran on
in touch, chased clear leader 7f out to over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, ridden and led 1f out, ran on
led, clear 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, lost place over 2f out, switched right and ran on inside final furlong
tracked leader until 7f out, remained prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
keen, close up over 7f
Oratorio can crown a fine season by landing this rich prize at the expense of Alkaased, Pride and Pinson to name but three in a quality field. Oratorio proved that his success over Motivator in the Eclipse was no flash in the pan by dishing out the same treatment to the Vodafone Derby winner in the Irish Champion Stakes. That was after a three-month break, so hopes are high that Aidan O'Brien's charge can become the first horse to do the Irish-English Champion double since Pilsudski in 1997. The latter's trainer, also successful with Kalanasi five years ago, now has three runners, with Maraahel joined by the supplemented pair Chic and Rob Roy. That trio will have to perform above their best to trouble the selection though, and a bigger danger is likely to be Luca Cumani's Alkaasad who has been a model of consistency. However, he in turn is held by the main French hope Pride who bids to become the first Gallic winner since Dernier Emperor 10 years ago. Only just beaten by Bago at Longchamp in April, she showed that she is worth a place in this line-up with an impressive victory in the Prix Foy, and as long as her run in the Arc, in which she was seventh, has not left its mark, she can go close with ground conditions in her favour. Pinson also lines up in form but has more to do, while Rakti is a law unto himself. Echo Of Light was supplemented on Monday and might prove best of the Godolphin pair despite the fact that Frankie Dettori has chosen Layman. All in all, Oratorio is the one to beat.
Alkaased (USA) 10-11fav (9-2) Held up, headway 3f out, every chance, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Pride (8-13) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Sept.
Maraahel (IRE) Evensfav (9-8) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Mullins Bay (9-4) at York 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Prospect Park (9-0) Tracked leader, effort over 1f out, soon led, eased near finish, won at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 2f Grp 3 gd in Sept beating Royal Fantasy (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rakti 9-4 (9-1) Led centre group, keen early, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind Starcraft (9-1) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept.
Touch Of Land (FR) 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, headway 2f out, strong burst to lead close home, won at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) sft beating Ruwi (9-0) by a hd, 10 ran.
Alexander Goldrun (IRE) 8-11fav (9-2) Held up, in rear 3f out, ridden and headway well over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kinnaird (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Chic 9-4fav (9-0) Raced centre, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway to lead center group 2f out, kept on but no chance with far side, 5th of 10, 8l behind Peeress (9-0) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gs.
Pride (FR) 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, not clear run over 3f out, stayed on inside final 2f, never nearer, 7th of 15, 7l behind Hurricane Run (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs.
David Junior (USA) 15-8fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, ran on well, won at Goodwood 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept beating Hazyview (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Echo of Light 9-4fav (8-11) Made all, shaken up to go clear over 1f out, easily, won at Doncaster 1m 2f stk (2) gs in Sept beating Khyber Kim (8-11) by 7l, 5 ran.
Layman (USA) 11-10fav (8-9) Tracked leader, headway and led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 13l behind Chic (8-12) at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Oratorio (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Held up, 7th and driven along halfway, 5th and headway 3f out, 2nd early straight, led inside final furlong, kept on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept beating Motivator (8-11) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pinson (IRE) (8-11) Held up travelling well, headway to lead 1f out, drew clear, won at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug beating Ruwi (9-2) by 6l, 6 ran.
Rob Roy (USA) 17-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, keen hold, hard driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Sept beating Ancient World (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Whazzat 6-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 9l behind Linngari (8-11) at Haydock 1m lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
