slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong, kept on, unable to challenge
mid-division, switched left and closed over 2f out, drifted right over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final, ran on well, readily
tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon driven, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, carried right and one pace over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no impression
dipped and went left start, held up towards rear on outside and took keen hold, shaken up and edged right over 1f out, no progress
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
Three-year-olds have won half of the last ten renewals and Birchwood returned to something like his juvenile form when landing a Listed contest on soft ground at Chester. Gifted Master had Dream Dubai over two lengths behind when making all in a Group 3 at Ascot in April and all three from the younger brigade can be given chances as this doesn't look the strongest of Group 2's. Home Of The Brave reappeared with victories in Listed and Group 3 company in the spring and has won on firm ground so he's an obvious contender though DUTCH CONNECTION (NAP) looks the one to be on. Charles Hills' charge is well up to this level as he showed when just touched off by Toormore in the race last year and he's since finished a close second to the same horse in the bet365 Mile at Sandown.
Buckstay (IRE) 7-1jfav (9-10) Held up, towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 9th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Golden Steps (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Dutch Connection 5-1 (9-1) Switched right start, held up, headway and switched right to inside well over 1f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Mutakayyef (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Home Of The Brave (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed in closing stages, stayed on gamely, won at Haydock 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May beating Convey (9-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Markaz (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, won at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Jun beating Pretend (9-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Tupi (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, never able to challenge, eased inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Birchwood (8-8) at Chester 7f lst (1) sft in Jul.
Birchwood (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, outpaced by front pair over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 110 yards, won at Chester 7f lst (1) sft in Jul beating Sovereign Debt (9-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
Dream Dubai 16-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, soon steadied towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, no threat, 8th of 10, 4l behind Quiet Reflection (9-0) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Gifted Master (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Raced far side, overall leader until over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 19, 7 3/4l behind Ribchester (9-6) at Ascot 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Jun.
