a little keen, held up, 8th early, moderate 5th 5f out, closer in 6th 3f out, no impression under pressure 2f out, kept on into 2nd near finish
led briefly early, raced in 2nd, lost action and pulled up quickly after halfway
soon raced in 4th, closer order in 2nd 5f out, soon led, headed from early straight, soon no impression, one pace, dropped to 5th closing stages
soon led and clear, reduced lead from over 5f out, soon headed and weakened, quickly dropped to rear, eased, completely tailed off
soon raced in 5th, closer order in 4th 5f out, pushed along under 4f out, under pressure towards outer straight, soon no impression, squeezed for room 1f out and switched left, one pace
held up towards rear, moderate 9th 5f out, headway and switched left under 4f out, no impression in moderate 7th 3f out, eased from over 1f out
held up, 6th early, moderate 7th 5f out, impeded under 4f out, no impression in moderate 9th 3f out, eased under 2f out
soon raced in 3rd, closer order 5f out, soon close up, pushed along under 4f out, 2nd 3f out, switched and edged left from over 2f out, soon no impression, one pace, dropped to 4th near finish
raced in 7th early, dropped to last 5f out, pushed along under 4f out, no impression in moderate 8th 3f out, eased 1f out
held up, 9th early, moderate 6th 5f out, closer in 5th on outer 3f out, pushed along straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace without threatening into 3rd near finish
held up towards rear, moderate 8th 5f out, improved into 3rd travelling smoothly 3f out, led early straight, edged right from over 2f out, soon asserted, stayed on well final furlong, easily
Vinnie Roe is the only three-year-old to have won this in 15 years and he won it again for the following three seasons. Order Of St George is the only entry from the younger generation in a very strong renewal but won the Trial in very impressive style and any further rain would aid his cause. Brown Panther won the race last year and was placed in 2012 and though not seen since runner-up in the Yorkshire Cup in May he'll be ready for this. Agent Murphy looked potentially high-class when storming away with the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury but it's another UK raider, SECOND STEP, who gets the vote despite never having raced beyond 1m4f. He was sent to Germany last time for a Group 1 and duly obliged so with the longer trip likely to be in his favour he can land this for Luca Cumani. Forgotten Rules started favourite for the Gold Cup but just ran out of steam in the closing stages and finished just behind runner-up Kingfisher. Both are smart performers who can have their say while Gospel Choir wouldn't be coming here without good reason and is back over the same trip as when winning last year's Yorkshire Cup.
Agent Murphy 11-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear entering final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Aug beating Windshear (9-5) by 5l, 6 ran.
Brown Panther 13-8fav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on and just held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Snow Sky (8-13) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Forgotten Rules (IRE) 8-13fav (10-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out and briefly became slightly unbalanced, 3rd 1f out, no extra and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 6, 7l behind Bondi Beach (8-10) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
Good Tradition (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Raced in 4th, pushed along 3f out, soon no impression, one pace, last of 5, 17l behind Order Of St George (8-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Gospel Choir 7-4fav (9-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, not pace of winner, plugged on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Beautiful Romance (8-2) at Windsor 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gs in Aug.
Kingfisher (IRE) 5-2 (9-9) In rear, pushed along under 4f out, soon no impression, switched left over 1f out to outer, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Order Of St George (8-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Sea Moon 12-1 (9-9) Raced in 2nd, got on terms 3f out, soon led, edged right and pressed 2f out, soon headed and no impression, one pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Order Of St George (8-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Second Step (IRE) (9-6) won at Hoppegarten(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug beating Ito (9-6) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Vent De Force 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, outpaced when ridden and hung left 3f out, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Max Dynamite (9-3) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
Wicklow Brave 9-1 (8-11) Dwelt soon mid-division, headway to track leaders 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Litigant (9-1) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Order Of St George (IRE) 4-6fav (8-11) Raced in 3rd, a little keen, pushed along over 2f out in 2nd, led under 2f out, soon clear, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug beating Sea Moon (9-9) by 8l, 5 ran.
