soon led, attempted to assert and went on from 2f out, reduced lead and headed from over 50yds out, soon dropped to 3rd
waited with, 6th halfway, ridden from 2f out, moderate 4th over 1f out, closed and stayed on well inside final furlong, 2nd final 50yds, not quite get to winner
towards rear, ridden to go moderate 5th over 1f out, stayed on well without threatening final furlong
soon tracked leaders in 4th, ridden from 2f out, moderate 2nd over 1f out, closed and led from from over 50yds out, stayed on well
prominent, dropped to moderate 3rd over 1f out, no extra
soon chased leaders in 6th, struggling from after halfway, no extra from under 2f out
towards rear, ridden to go moderate 6th over 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent, 3rd halfway, no extra from under 2f out
soon tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along from halfway, soon no impression
This normally hugely informative Group 1 has lost a little of its gloss in the last couple of years but this looks a high-class renewal. POWER lost nothing in defeat behind La Collina in the Phoenix Stakes having won the Coventry Stakes at Ascot in the style of a smart performer. Official ratings and jockey bookings point to him being the best of Ballydoyle's quartet and there's every chance this step up to 7f will bring about further improvement. Tough As Nails looks held but Dragon Pulse is progressive and only had to be pushed out to beat Parish Hall in the Futurity over C&D three weeks ago when David Livingston and Strait Of Zanzibar were behind. The runner-up was well behind the selection previously, however. Talwar relished the soft surface in the Solario Stakes at Sandown and has his ground again, though has a bit to find to follow up in this higher grade.
David Livingston (IRE) 5-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led briefly over 2f out, soon no impression under pressure and dropped to 4th, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Dragon Pulse (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Dragon Pulse (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Settled in rear, good progress on outer 2f out, led early final furlong and kept on well, won at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Parish Hall (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Furner's Green (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 7th of 13, 9l behind Entifaadha (9-0) at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Power 7-4fav (9-1) Always prominent, disputed lead before halfway, led under 2f out, soon ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind La Collina (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 1 gd in Aug.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders mainly 6th, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out and kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Dragon Pulse (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Talwar (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, forged clear entering final furlong, comfortable, won at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug beating Silverheels (9-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
Tough As Nails (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd over 1f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 2l behind La Collina (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 1 gd in Aug.
Vault (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and no extra from 2f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Dragon Pulse (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Whip Rule (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden under 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind East Meets West (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo stks pol.
