held up in 6th, ridden and no impression 2f out
traced pacemaker, pushed along to close over 2f out, led 2f out, driven and kept on gamely when strongly pressed throughout final furlong, headed final stride
led, kicked on 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened and eased
held up in 5th, ridden and unable to quicken over 2f out, stayed on to 4th inside final furlong, not pace of leading trio
held up in 7th, never on terms and beaten over 2f out
tracked leading trio, effort 2f out, one pace when pushed right inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
held up last, headway on outside over 2f out, sustained run from inside final 2f, strong challenge throughout final furlong, stayed on gamely under pressure to lead last stride
chased leading pair, went 2nd well over 1f out, challenged 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, not quite pace of leading duo final 100 yards
RIP VAN WINKLE can retain his crown, seeing off Makfi in what might become a tactical race. Although last-year's four-runner affair was a farce, this time around he faces a sterner challenge. A battling Juddemonte International win underlined his class, and the race next time in the Irish Champion Stakes was on unsuitable ground and not run to suit. With Air Chief Marshall in the race connections will be hopeful of pinching the prize, although stablemate Beethoven is certainly no back-number now back over a mile. Makfi is the obvious threat as the best miler around at present. He was superb when beating Goldikova last month, and his sole flop when seventh here in the St James's Palace Stakes came with a valid excuse, however he isn't blessed with a startling turn of foot and the worry might be that he is out-sprinted late on. Poet's Voice, the Celebration Mile winner, and Hearts Of Fire, are no chumps, however the more experienced Rip Van Winkle looks the bet.
Bushman 66-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders on outside, took keen hold, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 23l behind Rip Van Winkle (9-5) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Rip Van Winkle (IRE) 8-11fav (9-7) Held up in 5th, progress early straight, moderate 4th over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Cape Blanco (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Air Chief Marshal (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Prominent, 2nd halfway, challenged under 2f out, no extra entering final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Bewitched (8-12) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Beethoven (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 3f out, some progress into moderate 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 6l behind Cape Blanco (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Hearts of Fire 5-2fav (8-7) Dropped out and switched right start, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon pressing leaders, held well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Sea Lord (8-7) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Makfi 7-1 (8-11) won at Deauville(FR) 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug beating Goldikova (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Poet's Voice 2-1 (8-9) Held up 4th and last, tracked leading pair over 3f out, switched outside 2f out, edged right, led over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (1) sft in Aug beating Main Aim (9-1) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Red Jazz (USA) 4-1fav (9-0) With leader, led 5f out, ridden and joined over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Yaa Wayl (8-9) at York 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
