chased leaders, 6th halfway, driven over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, 5th under 1f out, kept on to almost snatch 3rd on line,
prominent, soon tracked leader in 2nd, led narrowly 3f out, driven 1 1/2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on strongly
rear of mid-division, 5th on inner halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, headway to 2nd 1f out, kept on, not trouble winner
broke well to lead, headed 3f out, driven 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, driven in 7th halfway, dropped to 8th and driven under 2f out, soon detached, no extra, eased under 1f out
rear, pushed along in 8th halfway, soon driven, ridden in 7th under 2f out, no headway, kept on same pace
chased leaders, progress to 3rd halfway, driven under 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, dropped to 5th closing stages
prominent, soon raced 3rd, 4th halfway, driven 1 1/2f out, close 4th 1f out, soon ridden, no impression on winner, kept on, just held 3rd
Paul Midgley's veteran MONSIEUR JOE won this a year ago and comes back for another crack in excellent shape having scored at Newmarket before finishing runner-up in a Deauville Listed contest. He just about gets the vote here though fellow UK raider Gracious John should provide a stiff challenge. David Evans' three-year-old wasn't too far behind Mecca's Angel in a Group 2 at the Curragh last month which was probably his best race to date despite having won five times. Robert Cowell sends Spirit Quartz from Newmarket and he won a Cork Listed contest on his last visit to Ireland. The home challenge is headed by Gordon Lord Byron, who has won 15 races in a long career including a recent Group 2 at the Curragh for which he's penalised. Stenographer has only had two runs, though was beaten just a head in the latest of them after his maiden success.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) (9-2) 8th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Signs Of Blessing (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 stks gd in Aug.
Spirit Quartz (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon pushed along, carried right and hampered over 1f out, weaked inside final furlong, eased, 13th of 17, 5 3/4l behind Take Cover (9-2) at Goodwood 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
The Happy Prince (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Mid-division, progress in 4th 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, pressed inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Moviesta (9-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Aug.
Gracious John (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Briefly pushed along from stalls to lead, pushed along and headed 1 1/2f out, ridden from 1f out and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Mecca's Angel (9-4) at Curragh 5f Grp 2 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
Stenographer (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, a little keen, pushed along before straight, closed from over 1f out, soon led and strongly pressed, stayed on well, headed near line, 2nd of 4, hd behind Black Sea (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Byzantium 12-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 11th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Moviesta (9-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Aug.
Dikta Del Mar (SPA) 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, driven under 2f out, ridden and dropped to 5th 1f out, kept on same pace 1f out, 5th of 11, 2l behind Ostatnia (8-13) at Tipperary 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Ostatnia (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Bit slowly away, soon raced 3rd on inner, travelled well in 3rd under 2f out, ridden into 2nd final 200 yards, soon dropped to 4th, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Captain Power (9-10) at Leopardstown 6f hcp gf in Aug.
Monsieur Joe (IRE) (9-6) 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Silver Rainbow (8-12) at Deauville 5f lst stks gd in Jul.
