Unbeaten in all five outings so far this year, Chad Brown’s Bricks And Mortar will go close if lasting home but looks a short enough price stepping up in trip for this. Arklow won over today’s distance at Belmont when beating Channel Maker, Channel Cat and Zulu Alpha though could only manage fourth in last year’s renewal while Old Persian won a Grade 1 at Woodbine last time though the Godolphin colt is closely matched on collateral form with German raider and Woodbine International winner Alounak. But Derby winner ANTHONY VAN DYCK looked back to something like his best when third in the Irish Champion Stakes last time and back on fast ground for the first time since Epsom, Aidan O’Brien’s colt makes most appeal with stablemate Mount Everest likely to struggle at this level.
Zulu Alpha (USA) 5-1 (9-0) 5-6w uppr, outkicked, 6th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Arklow (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Oct.
Acclimate (USA) 13-5 (8-13) Fought back rail lane, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Cleopatra's Strike (8-9) at Santa Anita 1m 2f stks gd in Sep.
United (USA) 9-4fav (8-9) Came out str,best rest, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Cleopatra's Strike (8-9) at Santa Anita 1m 2f stks gd in Sep.
Mount Everest (IRE) 11-4jfav (9-3) Rear of mid-division, progress to 4th 4f out, came wide entering straight, ridden into 2nd over 1f out, ran on strongly 1f out to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f lst stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Ancient Spirit (9-7) by hd, 10 ran.
Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, soon 4th on inner, pushed along before straight, slightly impeded over 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Magical (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Channel Cat (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Bmp btw st, improved, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Arklow (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Oct.
Alounak (FR) 13-1 (9-0) Ang out 5/16, rallied, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Desert Encounter (9-0) at Woodbine 1m 4f stks gd in Oct.
Bandua (USA) 6-1 (9-0) 4path 1/4, bid, hung, 8th of 14, 3l behind Bowies Hero (9-0) at Keeneland 1m stks gd in Oct.
Bricks And Mortar (USA) 1-2fav (9-0) Wait,room3w3/16,drive, won at Arlington 1m 2f stks gd in Aug beating Magic Wand (8-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Old Persian 13-20fav (9-0) Bid 3/16ths,comfortabl, won at Woodbine 1m 4f stks gd in Sep beating Nessy (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Arklow (USA) 4-1 (9-0) 3w 1st turn, gamely, won at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Oct beating Channel Maker (9-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Channel Maker (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Rated inside, stubborn, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Arklow (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Oct.
