tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd 2f out, ridden and weakened 1 1/2f out, eased final 150 yards
towards rear, 5th halfway, 4th 2f out, headway to 3rd final 150 yards, kept on strongly to lead close home, driven out
ran freely in 4th early, 5th 2f out, ridden and headway to 3rd over 1f out, dropped to 5th final 150 yards, no extra
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, progress to lead narrowly final 100 yards, kept on, headed close home and dropped to 3rd
held up in rear, 7th halfway, 6th 1f out, soon switched right, ridden and kept on strongly, never nearer
towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden into 5th 1f out, ran on strongly to 2nd close home, nearest finish
soon led, 1 length clear halfway, ridden and tried to assert over 1f out, under pressure and headed final 100 yards, no extra
David O'Meara won this with Custom Cut in 2015 and the eight-year-old, who was runner-up a year ago, has since won a Group 3 here in May. He's since been beaten just over a length by Alexios Komnenos on a return visit and though 3lb better off with Jonjo Stack's three-year-old is unlikely to turn the tables. Suedois also represents the North Yorkshire handler and though she's been running very well at a high level she's hasn't won for new connections after arriving from France. SIR JOHN LAVERY is still in the Queen Elizabeth II and the Champion Stakes and will need to win here to justify those entries. He was having only his fifth start when easily landing a Listed race at Cork and though taking a leap in class looks a Group winner in the waiting.
Custom Cut (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Led, pushed along entering straight, ridden and headed over 150 yards out, no impression and kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Alexios Komnenos (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Suedois (FR) 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, driven 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, just held in 3rd near finish, 3rd of 18, 1/4l behind Talaayeb (8-6) at York 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Alexios Komnenos (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway under 2f out, ridden to challenge and led over 150 yards out, under pressure and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Music Box (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Psychedelic Funk 5-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden into 5th 2 1/2f out, stayed on and closer in 3rd over 1f out, switched to inner inside final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages, 4th of 8, 1 1/4l behind Canary Row (9-9) at Killarney 1m lst stks (1) sft in Aug.
Sir John Lavery (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Raced in rear, pushed along and good progress on outer from 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out and stretched clear inside final furlong, won at Cork 1m lst stks (1) sft in Aug beating Rose De Pierre (9-7) by 3l, 7 ran.
True Valour (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 4th halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra, last of 9, 5 1/2l behind Alexios Komnenos (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Whitecliffsofdover (USA) 4-1 (9-5) Led, ridden from 2f out, headed over 1f out and soon dropped to 3rd, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Sir John Lavery (9-2) at Cork 1m lst stks (1) sft in Aug.
