Verdict

After a couple of modest efforts in Group 1 sprints earlier this year, Aussie star ORTENSIA showed her true colours last month when winning the King George Stakes at Goodwood before a brilliant display in the Nunthorpe at York last time. She's right back to her best now and the likes of Bated Breath, Confessional, Dandy Boy and Elusivity look unlikely to reverse running. Bated Breath was admittedly below par at York and connections will be hoping the fast ground sees him in a better light while Soul had been making good progress over today's trip before failing to last home over 7f at Newbury. Society Rock is usually thereabouts at this level but Strong Suit is of more interest dropping back in trip after getting there too late and just failing to catch the winner in last month's Hungerford Stakes.

Formwatch

Bated Breath 7-2fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not able to challenge, 6th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Ortensia (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.

Confessional 12-1 (9-0) Pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Borderlescott (9-0) at Beverley 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd.

Dandy Boy (ITY) 25-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, switched left 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not able to get on terms, 11th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Ortensia (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.

Elusivity (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch, headway over 1f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Borderlescott (9-0) at Beverley 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd.

Genki (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Raced centre, fly-jumped start, held up in last pair, pushed along halfway, never a factor, 10th of 12, 23l behind Mayson (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Jul.

Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at York 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Aug beating Bannock (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.

Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Raced far side, held up in touch, good headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led far side group approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Imperial Guest (8-11) by ns, 27 ran.

Hitchens (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Raced centre, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newmarket 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Aug beating Markab (9-4) by 1l, 8 ran.

Majestic Myles (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Steadied start, took keen hold towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Lethal Force (8-12) at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.

Society Rock (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Reared in stalls, raced centre, took keen hold, held up in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, driven and stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no real impression, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Mayson (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Jul.

Soul (AUS) 2-1fav (9-3) Steadied start, took keen hold and held up in touch, headway over 2f out, went well held 2nd inside final 2f until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Lethal Force (8-12) at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.

Strong Suit (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, chased clear winner over 1f out, closing inside final furlong and going on strongly close home, never able to challenge, 2nd of 9, nk behind Lethal Force (8-12) at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.

Es Que Love (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Raced centre, tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Hitchens (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Aug.

Ortensia (AUS) 7-2fav (9-8) In rear, ridden over 2f out, good headway on far side over 1f out, ran on strongy inside final furlong to lead close home, won at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug beating Spirit Quartz (9-11) by nk, 19 ran.

Wizz Kid (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) 2nd of 9, 5l behind Moonlight Cloud (8-12) at Deauville(FR) 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.