chased leaders in 4th, improved into 3rd and niggled along 2f out, ridden to lead under 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and dropped to 4th 2f out, went 3rd again inside final furlong, kept on same pace
slowly into stride and in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led and clear, ridden over 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed under 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, raced green and brought to centre before halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, regained 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening winner
It's difficult to know what to make of the performance of War Command in the Phoenix Stakes as he was never travelling and could only stay on at one pace. The Coventry Stakes winner will need to bounce back to justify his top entries but may not be up to beating EXOGENESIS. Ger Lyons' charge completed his hat-trick in grand style in a Group 3 at Leopardstown where he looked to be doing just enough. He'll need to improve again but looks capable of doing so and is given the vote. War Command's stablemate Friendship makes a quick reappearance after completing a double at Tipperary on Thursday but he was beaten by the selection at Leopardstown and by Mustajeeb at Galway when the latter gained many admirers with an impressive victory. Jim Bolger won this with Teofilo and New Approach but Freedom Square has plenty to find on his form to date.
War Command (USA) 2-5fav (9-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden from 2f out and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong without troubling winner, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Sudirman (9-3) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
Exogenesis (IRE) 11-8 (9-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along early straight and challenged inside final furlong, kept on best to lead final 50 yards, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating Home School (9-3) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Freedom Square (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Wore ear plugs, took keen hold, chased leaders, weakening when slightly hampered well over 1f out, 16th of 19, 20l behind Berkshire (9-3) at Royal Ascot 7f Listed stks 2yo (1) gf in Jun.
Friendship (IRE) 9-10fav (9-9) Soon led, travelling best from before straight, soon clear, stayed on well from over 1f out, easily, won at Tipperary 7f 2yo hcp gd beating Glassatura (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Mustajeeb 11-8fav (9-5) Soon led, still travelling well 2f out, ridden to assert and stayed on well final furlong, won at Galway 7f 2yo mdn in Jul beating Friendship (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
