in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
led early, tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd near finish
made most, ridden over 1f out, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, hung left 2f out, plenty to do over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, went 2nd near finish
Defoe could be anything after making a winning debut at Ffos Las but this is a big step up in class. STAR OF RORY's second to Frankuus at Haydock looks better form than Medieval's latest run at Deauville. The latter was fourth in the Coventry Stakes in June but is more exposed than his rivals. Max Zorin justified favouritism at Chester but is unproven on ground with some give while Jackhammer hasn't built on a debut win at Salisbury, though has been quite highly tried.
Jackhammer (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Raced keenly, led for 2f, chased winner until over 3f out, chased leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 22 1/2l behind Montataire (9-1) at Salisbury 1m lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Max Zorin (IRE) 5-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Chester 1m mdn stks (4) gd in Sep beating Roaring Character (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Medieval (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Xaarino (9-2) at Deauville 7f lst stks gd in Aug.
Star of Rory (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Frankuus (9-2) at Haydock 1m lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Defoe (IRE) 3-10fav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on close home, won at Ffos Las 1m mdn stks (5) sft in Sep beating Bianca Minola (9-0) by hd, 4 ran.