held up tracking leading pair, going well when switched right over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon quickened clear, pushed out
led and set even pace, quickened inside final mile, pushed along 5f out, ridden 3f out, headed entering final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, plugged on into 2nd post, never any chance with winner
always last, outpaced 4f out, never any chance
dwelt, soon tracking leader, pushed along to challenge 3f out, led entering final 2f, soon ridden, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
NonRunner
STRADIVARIUS has won eight in a row, is firmly established as the best stayer around and one of the very best for some time. There seems little point in opposing him as he simply always seems to find a way to win but Dee Ex Bee is very highly rated in his own right and has a decent shout against the favourite in receipt of 3lb. He was only beaten a neck by the champion at Goodwood and is not a forlorn hope by any means. Falcon Eight is the relatively new kid on the block in the staying division and overcame Mekong in Listed grade last time at Sandown under the Dettori drive. It will be intriguing to witness his first performance dining at the top table.
Stradivarius (IRE) 4-5fav (9-9) Held up off the pace in 5th, took closer order over 5f out, smooth headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 2m Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul beating Dee Ex Bee (9-9) by nk, 8 ran.
Dee Ex Bee 11-2 (9-9) Held up off the pace in 3rd, took closer order over 5f out, driven to challenge over 3f out, led just over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 8, nk behind Stradivarius (9-9) at Goodwood 2m Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Falcon Eight (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Tracked leader until settled 3rd 6f out, pushed along on outside over 3f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, sustained challenge final furlong, driven ahead last strides, won at Sandown 2m lst (1) gf in Jul beating Mekong (9-0) by hd, 5 ran.
Il Paradiso (USA) 11-10fav (8-4) Led early, soon raced in 2nd, on terms 7f out, led again from 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, quickly asserted, stayed on well, easily, won at Curragh 2m hcp gf in Jul beating Shakespear'sgalley (9-2) by 12l, 6 ran.
Magic Circle (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, well held from over 1f out, 9th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Stradivarius (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun.