towards rear, pushed along and closer in 7th on inner 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, some headway early straight and not clear run 2f out, 7th 1f out, switched right and kept on well final 100 yards to go 3rd close home
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight and ridden under 2f out, 4th over 1f out, no extra inside final 150 yards
rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear early straight, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 5th when switched left and not clear run under 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway to lead early final furlong, kept on well
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and headway early straight, ridden and progress to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, headed early final furlong and no extra final 100 yards
rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden over 2f out and no impression on outer 1f out, under pressure and kept on well final 100 yards
led, ran very wide off bend after 3f, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and joined 1 1/2f out, headed early final furlong, kept on one pace, no impression on winner closing stages
This hasn't been a good race for Aidan O'Brien who has won it once in 17 years but ESPIONAGE should double that tally. Ryan Moore is travelling over for the one ride on the son of Galileo, an Irish St Leger entry, who makes a belated reappearance after ending his first campaign with a head second in a Saint-Cloud Group 1. Joseph O'Brien has a very good record in the race and Vega Magnifico looks best of his pair now he's stepping up to a more suitable trip. Jim Bolger is also double-handed and Serious Challenge should give a good account while Kingswood's close third in a Curragh Group 3 entitles him to respect.
Imaginarium (IRE) 15-8jfav (9-8) In touch, 5th behind clear leaders halfway, took closer order in 4th over 3f out, travelled well to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly closing stages, comfortably, won at Curragh 1m 1f mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Vocal Studies (9-8) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Jackfinbar (FR) 20-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 16 1/2l behind Falcon Eight (9-0) at Sandown 2m lst (1) gf in Jul.
Sionnach Eile (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division on inner and 6th halfway, ridden from 2f out, no impression from over 1f out and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Mashhoor (9-10) at Cork 1m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Vega Magnifico (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Led, ridden 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed under 1f out, 3rd and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Moon De Vega (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 1f lst stks (1) gd in Jun.
Angels Wrath (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Al Husn (9-2) at Ayr 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) gd in May.
Espionage (IRE) (8-13) 2nd of 7, hd behind Proud And Regal (8-13) at Saint-Cloud 1m Grp 1 stks hvy in Oct.
Kingswood 4-1 (9-5) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to close over 2f out, closer in 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong, pressed leaders close home and carried slightly left, 3rd of 6, at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Serious Challenge (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Held up, ran freely early, mid-division in 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, closer 1f out, kept on closing stages, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Layfayette (9-9) at Limerick 1m 4f lst stks (1) Yielding in Jun.
Young Ireland (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 3f out and soon ridden, 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Tower Of London (9-12) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp gd in Jun.
Harbour Wind (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along over 3f out, headway to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Pivotal Trigger (9-10) at Roscommon 1m 2f gd in Jun.
