tracked leaders far side of group, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leader, led entering final 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, not pace of winner, weakened and lost two places final 100 yards
pulled hard and prominent, taken to race alone far side rail before halfway, weakened quickly over 1f out
wore hood to post, held up in rear, never on terms
raced keenly tracking leaders near side of group, 2nd and every chance 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, lost 2nd final strides
led, pushed along over 2f out, headed entering final 2f, soon lost 2nd, weakened quickly final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and hung right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up towards rear, good headway near side of group over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
steadied start, held up in last trio, smooth headway between horses inside final 2f, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon clear, impressive
Aidan O’Brien bids to repeat last year’s victory in this though River Tiber lost his unbeaten record in last month’s Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville when third behind VANDEEK. The latter was adding to an earlier success in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and will take all the beating if proving as effective on faster ground. Jasour and Elite Status also finished behind the selection in France though the former will appreciate today’s quicker going having won the July Stakes earlier when beating subsequent Gimcrack winner Lake Forest. Task Force tries his luck at this level having landed a Listed race at Ripon and is preferred to Starlust but Givemethebeatboys and Sketch have a bit to find with a couple of these.
Elite Status 17-2 (8-13) 7th of 9, 12 3/4l behind Vandeek (8-13) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 hvy in Aug.
Givemethebeatboys (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, 6th halfway and soon pushed along, ridden in 5th under 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, went 3rd on line, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Bucanero Fuerte (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Jasour 18-1 (8-13) 8th of 9, 12 3/4l behind Vandeek (8-13) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 hvy in Aug.
Lake Forest 16-1 (9-2) Held up in last pair, good headway near side rail over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, won at York 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug beating Johannes Brahms (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
River Tiber (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Vandeek (8-13) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 hvy in Aug.
Sketch (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out and kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Inquisitively (9-2) at York 5f lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Starlust 2-1 (9-3) Midfield, good headway and ridden to lead over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, ran on well, just held runner-up, won at Kempton 6f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Sep beating Seven Questions (9-3) by hd, 8 ran.
Task Force 11-8fav (9-5) Close up, wide and headway over 1f out, soon every chance, led and edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Ripon 6f lst (1) gd in Aug beating Matters Most (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Vandeek 9-2 (8-13) won at Deauville 6f Grp 1 hvy in Aug beating Ramatuelle (8-10) by shd, 9 ran.
