in rear, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, quickened pace and soon 3 lengths clear over 1f out, headed towards finish
awkwardly away, soon in touch, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slow into stride, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
in touch, headway halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, chased clear leader over 1f out, ridden and ran to lead towards finish
close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
From a clutch of entries, Aidan O’Brien has settled on Harpocrates. His form against Siskin at the start of the season warrants a place on the short-list but he’s been beaten three times in Listed company and only won a minor contest over 6f at Naas so far. He is also exposed compared to many of these and was behind Vitalogy at Naas last month. Mark Johnston usually has one laid out for this but last trained the winner in 2004. However, Kingbrook has a chance on collateral form against PERSUASION, though Charlie Hills’ colt may have more scope. From last year’s winning stable, the latter overcame trouble in-running and a lack of experience to win easily at Goodwood and he’s in all the big juvenile races between now and the end of the season. Cobra Eye beat a subsequent winner at Goodwood and Dettori keeps the partnership intact while Valdermoro was impressive at Doncaster, though the form isn’t working out.
Ethic 4-6fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, switched left 2f out, led entering final furlong, holding rival after, won at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (4) gf in Jul beating Stoweman (9-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Harpocrates (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, 3rd and niggled halfway, pushed along 3f out, ridden into 2nd over 1f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, held closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Justifier (9-3) at Tipperary 1m lst stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Aug.
Kingbrook 7-4fav (9-5) Always prominent, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon rallied, stayed on gamely to lead again towards finish, won at Ascot 7f stks (3) gf in Jul beating Manigordo (9-5) by nk, 12 ran.
Morisco (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Keen in rear, not clear run 3f out, switched right over 2f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Newcastle 7f stks (4) pol in Jul beating Flylikeaneagle (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Persuasion (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt, held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway when not clear run over 2f out, not clear run again over 1f out, edged left, ran on to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Goodwood 7f mdn stks (2) gf in Aug beating Celtic Art (9-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ropey Guest 10-1 (9-3) Held up tracking leaders, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on into 3rd final 75 yards, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Al Dabaran (9-3) at Ascot 7f lst stks (1) gs in Jul.
Valdermoro (USA) 5-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Doncaster 7f stks (4) gf in Jul beating Global Storm (9-5) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Vitalogy 25-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden into 6th 1 1/2f out, switched right over 1f out, under pressure in 4th under 1f out, ran on well closing stages to lead near line, won at Naas 6f mdn gd in Jul beating Arranmore (9-5) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Yorkshire Gold 7-2 (9-2) Slowly away, in rear and pushed along, headway over 2f out, soon switched right, kept on to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Leicester 6f stks (4) hvy in Jul beating Bright Valentine (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Cobra Eye 15-8fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, held on well, won at Goodwood 6f mdn stks (2) gd in Jul beating Fuwayrit (9-0) by shd, 10 ran.
