held up behind, ridden 2f out, never a factor
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, switched right over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon went 3rd, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
held up behind, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led over 2f out, quickened well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led, headed over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Last year's winner DONCASTER ROVER will be having his first start for Richard Fahey, which won't do him any harm whatsoever. He hasn't quite been at his best on his two latest starts but it will be a surprise if he doesn't make a bold bid to complete the double and is handed the vote. Eton Forever won the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot but failed to fire back on the track a month later. He's well up to this class at his best and quite lightly-raced for his age. Gordon Lord Byron's only start outside of Ireland was a disappointing run in the Wokingham but has proved himself over this extra furlong and was only beaten narrowly in a Group 3 last time. Bannock won a Listed race over 6f here in October and has generally competed with distinction at a high level but three-year-olds have a poor record in the race in recent years which may also rule out Saigon, who hasn't recaptured the kind of form that saw him score at this level at Newbury a year ago. Dimension is having his first attempt at Pattern race company and could be up to it though the form of his recent victory over the C&D has worked out poorly. Beacon Lodge was placed in four Group races last summer and though he's hardly picked his feet up in two runs this season he's with the right man to bring him back.
Beacon Lodge (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Pulled hard, held up towards rear and in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 6, 36l behind Red Jazz (9-7) at Haydock 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in May.
Doncaster Rover (USA) 7-1 (9-2) Dwelt, held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no impression, 4th of 7, 7l behind Majestic Myles (9-2) at Chester 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Jul.
Dubawi Sound 11-8fav (9-9) Chased leaders on inside, led entering final 4f, ridden and headed 2f out, chased leading pair until no extra approaching final furlong, 8th of 18, 7l behind The Confessor (9-6) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Eton Forever (IRE) 8-1fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 16th of 27, 10l behind Field Of Dream (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Fire Lily (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1).
Smarty Socks (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) Stumbled start, always behind, last of 20, 35l behind Fulbright (8-13) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gd.
Talwar (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, always behind, 20th of 22, 17l behind Ishvana (8-12) at Royal Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
Bannock (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, disputing 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 20, 7l behind Fulbright (8-13) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gd.
Royal Blue Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2f out, last of 9, 7l behind Fire Lily (9-2) at Leopardstown 6f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft in Jun.
Dimension 4-1fav (9-8) Held up behind, headway towards stands side over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon pressed leader, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at York 7f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul beating White Frost (8-10) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Ptolemaic 33-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakening when badly hampered on rail over 1f out, 12th of 14, 18l behind Archbishop (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd.
Saigon 28-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, driven and effort over 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 4l behind Archbishop (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd.
Smirfys Blackcat (IRE) One Cool Cat filly out of Smirfys Dance Hall.
