close up, not clear run over 1f out, squeezed through between horses inside final furlong, quickened to lead, ridden and ran on
dwelt and slow into stride, raced wide never looked comfortable in rear, effort and every chance 2f out, faded inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
Three odds-on chances have won this in the past four years and Estidhkaar will be a short price to follow suit. Richard Hannon's colt took a while to pick up in what looked a sub-standard Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, when Belardo was just over two lengths behind in fourth, but eventually got on top. But War Envoy was just over a length back in second and has been beaten since and his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, runs last week's Dundalk Listed winner SMUGGLER'S COVE in his place. It's a massive step up to the Dewhurst but O'Brien knows what it takes to win the race and, with further progress guaranteed, he's taken to surprise the favourite. Maftool was going on strongly at the finish in the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall here last month and though untested on the going should be better suited than most. Dutch Connection couldn't handle Gleneagles in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh but wasn't beaten far and can give a good account while Kodi Bear did well to land a Listed contest at Ascot after pulling too hard and connections believe he could be up to this class. Secret Brief has already won a small fortune in sales races on this track and, if further rain falls, he could surprise a few.
Belardo (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Estidhkaar (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Estidhkaar (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Tracked leader, took keen hold, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep beating War Envoy (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Kodi Bear (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Tracked clear leader, closed 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden and edged left briefly, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Jul beating Disegno (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Maftool (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Dwelt held up in touch in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep beating Markaz (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Secret Brief (IRE) 9-2fav (9-3) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo auc (2) gf beating Outlaw Country (9-3) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Smuggler's Cove (IRE) 7-4 (9-3) Raced 2nd early, disputed lead halfway, led entering straight, ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, impressive, won at Dundalk 7f 2yo Listed stks (1) pol beating Orcia (8-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Dutch Connection 9-2 (9-3) Disputed lead early, took keen hold, soon raced in 2nd, led from 2f out, joined from 1 1/2f out, soon headed and 3rd from 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Gleneagles (9-3) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Sep.
