held up, smooth headway to challenge 2f out, soon led and stretched clear final furlong, impressive
reluctant to enter stalls, soon led, strongly pressed 2f out, soon headed and no chance with winner final furlong, kept on one pace
towards rear, 8th 2f out, kept on inside final furlong without threatening
chased leaders, 4th halfway, no extra fom under 2f out
chased leaders, 5th 2f out, soon no impression under pressure
always prominent, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no chance with easy winner
prominent, 2nd halfway, no extra from well over 1f out, weakened
towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace final furlong
DEACON BLUES was so impressive in landing a Group 3 at Newbury that it's a surprise to see him continuing at this level. James Fanshawe's rapidly improving sprinter looked a potential winner at the highest level that day so should be up to taking this even with his penalty. Hitchens also carries a Group 3 penalty for his victory here in May and has competed at Group 1 level subsequently with his third place behind Dream Ahead in the July Cup another fine effort. He looks the main threat while Empowering, who enjoyed reverting to sprints at Naas after running in two classics over a mile, looks the best of the younger brigade. The remainder will all need to improve to take a hand.
Deacon Blues 5-2fav (9-3) Held up in touch, always travelling well, smooth headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, edged left, ran on well, won at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating Markab (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Arctic (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders mainly 5th, driven along from halfway, kept on under pressure final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Invincible Ash (9-4) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
Norville (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Pulled hard raced wide, tracked leaders, headway and ran wide into straight over 4f out, soon led, ridden 3f out, soon headed, driven and kept on final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Reignier (8-12) at Haydock 7f cond Stakes (3) gf in Jul.
Six of Hearts 11-2 (9-8) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Across The Rhine (9-8) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 in Jul.
Winker Watson 9-2 (8-13) Reared start, chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 7l behind Prime Defender (9-4) at Doncaster 6f cond Stakes (3) gf in Jul.
Empowering (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and challenged 1f out, soon disputed, headed on line, 2nd of 10, shd behind Katla (9-1) at Naas 6f fll lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Oor Jock (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 11l behind Majestic Myles (8-8) at Chester 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Jul.
Radharcnafarraige (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, 8th of 10, 6l behind Katla (9-1) at Naas 6f fll lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Hitchens (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Dream Ahead (8-13) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
