ran 5th, ridden to go 3rd 100 yards out, no impression and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, under pressure and no impression in 4th 1f out, no extra
soon led, 4 lengths advantage approaching straight, headed 1f out, no extra
ran 4th, no extra early straight and dropped to rear 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along approaching straight, some progress in 6th 1f out, 4th 100 yards out and kept on one pace
prominent, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, 6th halfway, no extra over 1f out
held up in 7th, progress straight and challenged 1f out, kept on under pressure, no impression on winner final 100 yards
GORDON LORD BYRON won this a year ago and has a penalty to carry for his Group 1 victory in Australia. He's returned after a break in great heart ready to defend his crown and will take some beating. Darwin had been sprinting before finishing a close third behind Kingman and Toronado in the Sussex Stakes but the game and consistent Parish Hall hasn't raced over a trip this short for three years. Top Notch Tonto was in outstanding form at this time a year ago and bounced back at York, though he'd prefer some cut in the ground. Bow Creek did well to win the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the form has already worked out but the main threat may emerge in the shape of Jersey Stakes winner Mustajeeb, who has been given a break since Ascot and with just six starts behind him has plenty of scope to do better.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind G Force (9-1) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Darwin 25-1 (9-8) Set very steady pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Kingman (9-0) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Leitir Mor (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, closer in 6th on outer 2f out, 7th 1f out, soon no impression, last of 9, 5l behind Jamesie (9-6) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Parish Hall (IRE) 11-8fav (9-12) Took keen hold and restrained in rear, closer order from before straight, pushed along in 3rd 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 4, 2l behind Hall Of Mirrors (9-9) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Top Notch Tonto (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headay 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 19, hd behind Short Squeeze (9-4) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Bow Creek (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Went left start, made virtually all, driven and quickened clear over 1f out, reduced advantage when ridden and hung badly left throughout final furlong, held on, won at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Emell (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Michaelmas (USA) 9-4 (8-6) Made all, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Naas 1m stks gf in Jul beating Bold Thady Quill (9-7) by 2l, 4 ran.
Mustajeeb 9-2fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, led approaching final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Royal Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun beating Muwaary (9-1) by 1l, 23 ran.
