held up, 8th 2f out, closer in 5th 1f out, challenged and on terms inside final furlong, kept on well, just denied at finish
reared slightly leaving stalls and slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, never a factor, kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon led and disputed, headed inside final furlong, kept on without matching 1st 2
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, no impression when not much room under 1f out, one pace
close up and soon disputed lead, headed and dropped to 5th 2f out, 8th and one pace from 1f out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, soon pushed along, challenged and on terms 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to just prevail on line
held up towards rear, closer in 6th on outer 2f out, 7th 1f out, soon no impression
soon raced in 5th, 7th 2f out, tight for room 1 1/2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
held up, 7th halfway, soon pushed along, closer in 4th 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
Russian Soul and Maarek are the last two winners of this and are regular opponents. The latter is well up to winning at this level and higher at his best as he showed in last year's Prix De L'Abbaye and can come out on top of the pair again but it's GORDON LORD BYRON who can return to winning ways despite this probably being just short of his best these days. He's one of the best to come out of Ireland in recent years at this sort of trip as he showed when landing a Group 1 in Australia in March and he showed good speed for a long way in the July Cup. Hamza wasn't far behind Maarek at Longchamp and is better over the extra furlong while Majestic Queen is still on the upgrade and her allowance should see her in the mix.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Raced far side, chased leader until ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 7l behind Slade Power (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Maarek Evensfav (9-12) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Scream Blue Murder (9-4) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Hamza (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Scream Blue Murder (9-4) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Russian Soul (IRE) 13-8fav (9-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, under pressure and edged left 1f out, short of room inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Sir Maximilian (9-7) at Tipperary 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf.
An Saighdiur (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 7, 5l behind Scream Blue Murder (9-4) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Jamesie (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Held up, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong to 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Scream Blue Murder (9-4) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Leitir Mor (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Soon led, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened 1 1/2f out, no extra and eased close home, 8th of 9, 23l behind Custom Cut (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) sft.
Majestic Queen (IRE) 3-1fav (9-11) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, led from 2f out, headed 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Tobann (9-8) at Fairyhouse 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Gathering Power (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Settled in rear, ridden on outer 2f out, 7th 1f out, headway inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Minalisa (9-5) at Naas 6f fll lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
