held up behind, outpaced 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase front pair final furlong, unable to get on terms
led early, tracked leader, led again 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, kept on when hard pressed inside final furlong, edged left and held on near finish
tracked leaders, came towards stands side rail and headway 3f out, effort 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to press winner inside final furlong, edged left and just held near finish
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, never able to challenge, weakened final 2f
soon led, driven and headed 3f out, soon lost place, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon ridden, never pace to challenge, no impression from over 1f out
keen early, tracked front pair, driven to challenge over 3f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final 2f, well held in 4th final furlong
restrained start, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, never involved
The annual St Leger trial but a high-quality Group 2 prize to be fought over in its own right. CROSS COUNTER's gelding status precludes his participation in the final classic of the season but he is a prime contender in this contest after a season of impressive progression, most recently when easily putting Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee to the sword at Newmarket. He looks sure to contend on this first foray into Group 2 company and is taken to emerge victorious in receipt of 5lb from Kew Gardens. The latter, a Ballydoyle inmate, followed up a Queen's Vase success at Royal Ascot with a battling victory in the Grand Prix de Paris and looks on course for the St Leger next month. Wells Farhh Go has long been touted as a live Leger prospect by Tim Easterby and the Farhh colt is expected to be on the premises too. Of the three further O'Brien contenders, The Pentagon looks best while Old Persian rates a solid second string for Godolphin.
Kew Gardens (IRE) (9-3) won at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul beating Neufbosc (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Old Persian 8-1 (9-0) Prominent and took keen hold early, soon mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along straight to soon chase leaders, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Latrobe (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Cross Counter 7-4 (9-1) Tracked leader, led 10f out, ridden clear just inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug beating Dee Ex Bee (9-1) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
M C Muldoon (IRE) (8-11) 2nd of 9, 2l behind Native American (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 2f lst stks sft in Jun.
Nelson (IRE) (9-3) 5th of 6, 8l behind Kew Gardens (9-3) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Sevenna Star (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) In mid-division when hampered after 1f and dropped to rear division, never on terms after, 10th of 12, 28l behind Masar (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
The Pentagon (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up, last halfway, raced on outer straight and pushed along, soon headway but no impression until stayed on strongly without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Latrobe (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Wells Farhh Go (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Made all, soon clear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Loxley (9-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Zabriskie (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Always behind, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Masar (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
