raced in 4th early, disputed 3rd 3f out, closed up travelling smoothly over 2f out, soon on terms, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong and no extra, one pace
dwelt, soon raced in 5th, wandered slightly under 2f out, soon no extra
raced in 3rd early, joined for that position 3f out, no impression in 5th over 1f out, soon no extra
soon towards rear and raced in 6th, no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace
stumbled slightly early, soon in rear, no impression 2f out, some headway over 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening
soon led, joined halfway, pushed along over 3f out, soon headed, no impression in 3rd over 1f out, one pace
led early, close up, on terms halfway, soon led, joined 2f out, led again inside final furlong and stayed on best to quickly assert
This has a brilliant roll of honour including Churchill, who completed a hat-trick of victories for his stable when successful last year. GUSTAV KLIMT will carry the main Ballydoyle hopes here and will probably win, though the form of his victory in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket hasn't worked out as well as expected. Beckford had looked very smart before finding Sioux Nation too quick on fast ground over 6f in the Phoenix Stakes so today's extra and easier conditions are in his favour and he rates a big threat. Brother Bear has been found wanting at Group level while Lethal Steps and Verbal Dexterity need more though the latter will be better back up in trip after finding Beckford too quick in the 6f Railway Stakes.
Beckford 15-8fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Sioux Nation (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Berkeley Square (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden on outer in last 2f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Rostropovich (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Brother Bear (IRE) 9-10fav (9-3) Close up, soon disputed lead, pushed along from 2f out and soon edged left to stand's side rail and narrowly headed, one pace inside final furlong and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Actress (9-0) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Coat Of Arms (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in last, headway into 3rd 2 1/2f out, ridden to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well, headed on line, 2nd of 5, shd behind Rostropovich (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Lethal Steps 6-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, a little keen, 3rd approaching straight, soon raced on outer, chased winner over 1f out, soon switched left and one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Ballet Shoes (8-12) at Tipperary 7f lst stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Rostropovich (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden and joined 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead on line, won at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug beating Coat Of Arms (9-3) by shd, 5 ran.
Verbal Dexterity (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Disputed lead, ridden and headed narrowly halfway, disputed lead again 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Beckford (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
Gustav Klimt (IRE) 5-6fav (9-1) Chased leaders until hampered shuffled back and lost place approaching final 2f, rallied and switched left to far rail over 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong to lead last strides, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Nebo (9-1) by hd, 10 ran.
