held up, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
close up, pushed along over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
led, headed over 6f out, tracked winner, ridden to challenge from over 2f out, every chance until no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
led over 6f out, ridden and pressed from over 2f out, stayed on gamely
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
NonRunner
Montataire is by far the most exposed of the two-year-olds in this intriguing Listed contest but already has four wins to his name and won at this level in impressive style last time. But preference is for RED ENSIGN as the Simon Crisford-trained colt made a solid debut at Newbury and got off the mark in likeable style at Kempton – there should be more to come. Of the two Frankel colts in the race, Cunco has failed to build on his winning debut but Frankuus could well be involved in the finish. Novice winner Star of Rory is likely to find this a little too hot.
Bahamas (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, stayed on well in closing stages, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 3/4l behind Apex King (9-3) at Ascot 7f lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Contrast (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Broke well, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 7f stks (4) gf in Aug beating War Of Succession (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Cunco (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-1) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd edging right over 3f out, ridden and and no impression when lost 2nd over 1f out, chased leading pair until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Montataire (9-1) at Salisbury 1m lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Frankuus (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Led, pushed along and headed 2f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 6 1/4l behind Escobar (9-1) at Newbury 7f lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Red Ensign (IRE) 2-5fav (9-5) Prominent, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Aug beating Al Hamdany (9-5) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Star of Rory (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Slowly away, in rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Haydock 7f stks (4) sft in Jul beating Wigan Warrior (9-2) by ns, 6 ran.
Montataire (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, led 6f out, made rest, clear when ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Salisbury 1m lst stks (1) gd in Aug beating Gemina (8-10) by 5l, 10 ran.
Drochaid 5-2 (9-5) Led early, remained prominent, led over 2f out, strongly challenged approaching final furlong, stayed on well, won at Haydock 1m mdn stks (4) gf in Aug beating Sofia's Rock (9-5) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
