held up in rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, readily
held up in touch, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened entering final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader to halfway, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
Camelot will start a short-priced favourite here due to hype over substance. The Ballydoyle colt went to Leopardstown with a huge reputation which scared most of the opposition away and he ended up beating just four maidens, none of which have won since. He's obviously highly-regarded and should take care of stablemate Learn but this opposition is in a different league. Encke was mightily impressive at Newmarket and his stable is in stunning form with juveniles while the superbly bred Fencing looked one to follow when scooting away with a Listed contest at Newbury. Talwar hasn't really progressed since his Sandown Group 3 success so a chance is taken with ZIP TOP. Jim Bolger supplemented him earlier this week and never wastes entries. He was going on strongly at the end in the 7f Somerville Tattersalll Stakes at Newmarket and today's galloping mile should play to his strengths.
Camelot 1-3fav (9-1) Held up in rear, good headway on outer early straight, led early final furlong, kept on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 1m 2yo mdn gd in Jul beating All Approved (9-3) by 2l, 5 ran.
Fencing (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Held up tracking leaders, headway travelling strongly inside final 3f, went 2nd approaching final 2f, led inside final 2f, shaken up and in command final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 7f Listed stks 2yo (1) gd in Aug beating Telwaar (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Learn (IRE) 2-5fav (9-3) Made all, driven clear entering straight, ridden out and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gd in Aug beating Strada Colorato (9-3) by 5l, 13 ran.
Talwar (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Went right start, with leader after 1f, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 16, 6l behind Coupe de Ville (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Zip Top (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Raced with winner on stands rail, chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon hung right, outpaced when unbalanced inside final 2f, stayed on again inside final furlong, went 3rd last stride, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Crius (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep.
Encke (USA) 8-13fav (9-3) Close up, switched right approaching 2f out, led over 1f out, soon in command, ran on final furlong, comfortably, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Sunley Pride (9-3) by 3l, 12 ran.
