led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, switched to outer 1 1/2f out, soon driven along, improved into 2nd and challenged 1f out, ran on well to lead close home, comfortably
tracked leaders in 4th, improved into 2nd and challenged 2f out, 3rd 1f out, soon no extra
held up in rear, last travelling well entering straight, 5th and ridden 1f out, kept on well
prominent, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra from over 1f out
raced keenly, 3rd halfway, weakened early straight
held up, 6th into straight, headway on outer 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, headed close home, not pace of winner
Aidan O'Brien used this as Mastercraftsman's warm-up run before his close fourth at the Breeders' Cup and Marco Botti is following the same pattern with GITANO HERNANDO. Already a Grade 1 winner on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface, he would have no problems winning this at his best and has scored after a lay-off twice in the past. Beethoven is the Ballydoyle pick and last year's Dewhurst winner looked on good form behind Poet's Voice in the QEII last week where he didn't get the best of runs. With an obvious fitness advantage he looks a serious threat. After looking potentially high class on his first two starts Wade Giles has twice had his limitations exposed by Steinbeck though there was plenty to admire about his narrow defeat in a Group 3 at the Curragh last time.
Dansant (9-6) 4th of 8, 5l behind Dervis Aga (9-6) at Istanbul(TUR) 1m 2f Grp 2 std in Sep.
Gitano Hernando 10-3fav (9-0) 6th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Gloria De Campeao (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar.
Northgate (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Mid-division, 9th halfway, headway in 6th 3f out, ridden into 4th 2f out, 2nd and no impression leader over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Bob Le Beau (8-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Aug.
Mid Mon Lady (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, progress on outer after halfway, 4th approaching straight, soon ridden and weakened, 13th of 14, 17l behind Vivacious Vivienne (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 4f fll hcp gf in Sep.
Beethoven (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up in 5th, ridden and unable to quicken over 2f out, stayed on to 4th inside final furlong, not pace of leading trio, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Poet's Voice (8-13) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gs in Sep.
Swing Pattern (USA) 8-13fav (9-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Indicative (9-0) at Listowel 7f 3yo mdn aut in Sep.
Wade Giles (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, progress on outer early straight, 4th under 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, stayed on well, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Steinbeck (9-1) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.
