soon led, joined 2f out, soon headed, slightly impeded over 1f out where 3rd, one pace
tracked leader early, soon raced in 3rd, a little keen, switched right from 2f out, soon not much room between horses and one pace
raced in 5th early, soon 6th, headway on outer from before straight, pushed along 2f out, 2nd 1f out, soon edged left, led close home
tracked leaders, soon raced in 2nd, closed up halfway, on terms 2f out, soon led, headed close home
soon in rear, headway on outer from before straight, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon raced in 4th, switched right towards outer inside first half mile, closed up halfway, pushed along before straight, no impression when slightly impeded over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
raced in 6th early, soon 5th, a little keen, pushed along 2f out, 4th 1f out, one pace
Ireland hasn't won this since 2011 and John Gosden has won two of the last three. France was successful in 2016 and Pascal Bary's Study Of Man takes his chance after an unsatisfactory run in a Deauville Group 2 following his victory in the French Derby. Addeybb's victory in the bet365 Mile at Sandown propelled him into the big league and he appeared to find the very fast ground in the Lockinge against him though he's yet to prove he stays this far. The winner of the latter race, Rhododendron, has performed poorly subsequently and her stable have a much better chance with Saxon Warrior. He beat ROARING LION on ground with some give in the Racing Post Trophy a year ago and also when landing the 2000 Guineas on good ground. But he has subsequently finished behind the runner-up on three occasions, including in the Eclipse and Juddmonte, though on both those occasions on fast going. It could be close to call between the pair here though preference is just for the Gosden colt.
Deauville (IRE) 11-4 (9-6) Pushed along to soon lead and dispute, pushed along again over 3f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, headed on line, 2nd of 7, shd behind Beautiful Morning (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Rhododendron (IRE) (8-13) 9th of 10, dist behind Nonza (8-13) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 1 stks gd in Aug.
Roaring Lion (USA) 3-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, soon challenged, shaken up to lead over 1f out, clear when ridden inside final furlong, ran on, won at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug beating Poet's Word (9-6) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Saxon Warrior (JPN) 9-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders towards far side of group over 2f out, soon hung left, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 8, 5l behind Roaring Lion (8-13) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Study Of Man (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 7, 6l behind Knight To Behold (9-2) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 stks gs in Aug.
Verbal Dexterity (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along after halfway, under pressure in 4th 3f out, ran on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Beautiful Morning (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Athena (IRE) 18-5 (8-5) Brshed gate,early move, 7th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Sistercharlie (8-11) at Arlington 1m 1f stks gd in Aug.
Addeybb (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Raced near side of group, held up towards rear, pushed along and some headway over 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, never really on terms, 8th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Rhododendron (8-11) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in May.
