held up in rear, driven along over 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure straight
held up in 5th, progress early straight, moderate 4th over 1f out, kept on
held up in 4th, progress 4f out, 3rd 3f out, ridden and no impression early straight, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 3f out, some progress into moderate 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, set strong pace, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on well under pressure, unchallenged
chased leader in 2nd, ridden under 3f out, outpaced entering straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out
Rip Van Winkle got off the mark for the season in the Juddmonte International at York by wearing down the admirably consistent Twice Over. As the runner-up had won the Coral-Eclipse in his previous start, it's difficult to knock the form but this is no straightforward task for Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old giving 7lb to stable companion CAPE BLANCO. The latter beat subsequent Epsom Derby winner Workforce in the Dante over this trip in May and again finished ahead of Sir Michael Stoute's charge when runner-up to Harbinger in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Sandwiched in between came a richly deserved success in the Irish Derby at The Curragh and he's clearly a very smart performer on this fast ground. Famous Name, Sea Lord and Beethoven are all decent but don't look up to this class.
Famous Name 4-6fav (9-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead under 2f out, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating Steinbeck (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rip Van Winkle (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and drifted slightly right over 1f out, ran on well final 100 yards to lead last strides, won at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug beating Twice Over (9-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Twice Over 6-1 (9-5) Held up in touch on inside, improved to challenge over 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, headed last strides, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rip Van Winkle (9-5) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Beethoven (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden out hands and heels inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug beating Dandy Boy (9-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Cape Blanco (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Tracked leader, driven over 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Harbinger (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Sea Lord (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Made virtually all, niggled along from 3f out, ridden over 1f out, just held on, won at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug beating Poet's Voice (8-7) by ns, 9 ran.
