settled in rear but in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon weakened
broke well, soon tracking leader, lost place over 3f out
soon led, ridden clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly
led early, soon restrained, took keen hold tracking leaders, effort on outside over 2f out, soon beaten
took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Although Noble Mission won at this level back in 2012 he appears more comfortable in Listed company and faces a couple of very smart younger horses. Sky Hunter won four out of five for Andre Fabre, his only defeat came in Group 1 company at Longchamp. He'll handle the going though a long absence could just sway things the way of TELESCOPE. Sir Michael Stoute's colt just manages to avoid a penalty for his superb victory in York's Great Voltigeur and connections bypassed the St Leger to keep him fresh for what should be a big season with two Group 1s already on the horizon. Contributer doesn't quite look up to the quality of the three mentioned above though his fitness is guaranteed after a comfortable Listed victory at Kempton and he has more scope than Winter Derby hero Robin Hoods Bay.
Contributer (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Keen tracked leader, switched left and led entering final 2f, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar beating Modernstone (8-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Empire Storm (GER) 25-1 (9-0) 10th of 16, 9l behind Shuruq (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) in Mar.
Noble Mission 11-4fav (9-0) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge winner from over 1f out, ran on but always looked held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Cubanita (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Sky Hunter (9-2) won at Vichy(FR) 1m 4f 3yo stk gd in Jul beating Kapour (9-2) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Telescope (IRE) 5-4fav (8-12) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, challenged going well 3f out, soon led, driven and stayed on strongly final furlong, won at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug beating Foundry (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Robin Hoods Bay 7-2 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Grandeur (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol.
