took keen hold, soon in rear, pushed along towards outer 2f out, soon no impression, no extra from over 1f out
soon led, headed from under 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
tracked leaders, 5th on outer halfway, closed 3f out travelling smoothly, pushed along to lead under 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, soon 6th, progress to chase leaders from 2f out, ridden to chase winner and edged right over 1f out, soon no impression, one pace
towards rear, soon 7th, no impression from 2f out, chased leaders and slightly impeded over 1f out and edged left, one pace
soon tracked leaders on inner, a little keen, pushed along under 3f out, soon switched right, not much room briefly over 2f out, chased winner and no impression inside final furlong, kept on same pace
close up, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression, impeded over 1f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong
pushed along early to track leaders, pushed along again in 5th 3f out, switched left 2f out, soon no impression, no extra over 1f out
Aidan O'Brien has won six of the last ten with UK raiders landing the remaining four. This probably revolves around the performance of Air Force Blue. The brilliant triple Group-1 winning juvenile didn't fire at all in the first colt's classic at Newmarket, trailing home a long way behind GALILEO GOLD. It would be folly to write him off so soon but he can hardly be trusted with the selection after such a dismal performance. The winner did everything right, chasing a fast pace and staying on stoutly after taking the lead over a furlong out. Providing the ground doesn't firm up, which appears unlikely, he can complete the classic double. Air Vice Marshal was considered Ballydoyle's second string at HQ but ran a mighty race in fourth on his first start since June. He had every chance but should have come on more than most for the run and could provide the main threat. Awtaad and Blue De Vega advertised their claims with a 1-2 in a Listed race on soft ground at the Curragh. The runner-up looked more in need of the race than the winner so could reverse the form while Sanus Per Aquam is the type to develop into a smart three-year-old though like Shogun and Bravery he's unproven at this sort of level.
Air Force Blue (USA) 4-5fav (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Galileo Gold (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Air Vice Marshal (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 4l behind Galileo Gold (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Awtaad (IRE) 13-8 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead over 1f out, ridden to assert over 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Curragh 7f lst stks (1) sft in May beating Blue De Vega (9-6) by 2l, 7 ran.
Blue De Vega (GER) 6-4fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden under 2f out and went 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Awtaad (9-3) at Curragh 7f lst stks (1) sft in May.
Bravery (IRE) 1-2fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Apr beating Mittersill (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Galileo Gold 14-1 (9-0) Pulled hard, led centre group until merged with stands side group halfway, prominent, led over 2f out, hung right approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on strongly, won at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Apr beating Massaat (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sanus Per Aquam (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, hanging right from 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, no impression when lost 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Air Force Blue (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Shogun (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Held up 4th, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, stayed on strongly 1f out to 2nd close home, nearest finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Moonlight Magic (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
