hampered start, mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and switched right over 1f out, driven, edged right and ran on to lead close home
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on onepace
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, switched right and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and headway on outer 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, ran on
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, soon ridden along, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, soon switched left, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
towards rear, took closer order to go in touch over 4f out, ridden halfway, no impression from over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
went right start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final 2f
hampered start, towards rear, ridden and headway on outer from 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, led well inside final furlong, headed and lost 2nd towards finish
Xtension has shown a decent level of form for Clive Cox and was good value for his win in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last time, but the son of Xaar may have to settle for minor honours here behind CHABAL who gets the verdict ahead of Steinbeck. The last mentioned, a good winner on his Naas debut, looks the pick of Aidan O'Brien's four runners ahead of Beethoven, Fencing Master and Lord High Admiral but he needs to improve to trouble the selection. Superlative Stakes winner Silver Grecian won his first three starts for John Ryan but his winning run was brought to an end in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last month and he gives the impression that an extra furlong may suit already. Saeed bin Suroor's Buzzword lost nothing in defeat in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp earlier this month and he has to be considered given the fine record the yard has with their juveniles but it is Chabal who gets the vote. Jim Bolger's colt made a favourable impression when making a winning debut in a Leopardstown maiden last month before just failing to collar Kingsfort in the National Stakes at The Curragh and a reproduction of that form may well suffice.
Awesome Act (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, always travelling well, driven to challenge over 1f out and quickened to lead inside final furlong, pushed out (hand timed), won at Goodwood 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf beating Morana (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Beethoven (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) 6th of 7, 4l behind Siyouni (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 7f 2yo Grp 1 gd.
Buzzword 6-1 (8-13) 3rd of 7, 2l behind Siyouni (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 7f 2yo Grp 1 gd.
Chabal (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Keen hold and soon settled in rear, ridden under 2f out, stayed on well in 2nd inside final furlong, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Kingsfort (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo stks G1 sft in Sep.
Dick Turpin (IRE) 15-8 (8-13) 5th of 7, 4l behind Siyouni (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 7f 2yo Grp 1 gd.
Fencing Master 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn auc stks pol in Sep beating Moonreach (9-0) by nk, 14 ran.
Free Judgement (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to 3rd 2f out, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace from 1f out, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Mister Tee (9-1) at Dundalk 7f 2yo Listed stks pol.
High Twelve (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Dropped out start, held up in rear, switched left over 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, no impression on front 3 inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Joshua Tree (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Lord High Admiral (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Soon tracked leaders, dropped to 9th 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, 8th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Shakespearean (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2yo aut gd in Sep.
Manhattan Fox (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and some headway over 1f out, soon one pace and never reached leaders, 7th of 9, 5l behind Sir Parky (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf.
Maroon Machine (IRE) (9-4) won at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m stk beating Marceti (8-13) by hd, 7 ran.
Silver Grecian 9-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, niggled along when not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, gaining towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Poet's Voice (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Steinbeck (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Soon disputed lead, in front over 1f out, ridden clear and stayed on well, eased near finish, won at Naas 6f 2yo stk gd in May beating Gold Bubbles (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Timely Jazz (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, beaten when badly hampered soon after, 8th of 10, 19l behind Joshua Tree (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Xtension (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along when not clear run over 2f out, switched left to outside and good progress over 1f out, driven and quickened to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul beating Mata Keranjang (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
