tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in rear, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden and kept same pace final 2f
keen tracked leaders, steadied back and in touch 6f out, switched left towards centre over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
made all, 7 lengths clear 3f out, unchallenged
tracked leaders, pushed along to chase clear winner halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed along 3f out, never on terms
tracked winner until halfway, weakened over 2f out
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders
close up, pushed along and weakened 2f out
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, headway and close up halfway, ridden to chase clear winner over 2f out, one pace and lost 2nd close home
Connections considered the Coral-Eclipse winner PADDINGTON for today’s Champion Stakes but this looks the right race for Aidan O’Brien’s exceptional miler. He’s won three times over today’s trip at the highest level this year, including the Sussex Stakes on soft ground, and beaten both 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean and Facteur Cheval in the process. Nashwa also drops back down in trip having won the Falmouth Stakes on fast ground at Newmarket during the summer while Tahiyra was notching her fourth Group 1 success when landing the Matron at Leopardstown, with Rogue Millennium in second, though any further softening of the ground is a worry for her. By contrast, heavy going would bring the French challenger Big Rock into the equation.
Angel Bleu (FR) 9-2 (9-6) Held up in touch, not clear run over 2f out or over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well, led close home, won at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug beating Knight (9-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Checkandchallenge 18-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and good headway from 3f out, not quicken final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Horizon Dore (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gs in Sep.
Facteur Cheval (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sauterne (8-10) at ParisLongchamp 1m Grp 1 gs in Sep.
Big Rock (FR) 5-6fav (8-13) Led, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Sauterne (8-10) at ParisLongchamp 1m Grp 1 gs in Sep.
Chaldean 5-6fav (9-2) Led early, lost ground from 2f out, 7th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Good Guess (9-2) at Deauville 7f Grp 1 sft in Jul.
Epictetus (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Wore hood to post, held up in last pair, some headway out wide 2f out, never going pace to get involved, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Mutasaabeq (9-9) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Sep.
Hi Royal (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, faded from 2f out, 9th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Inspiral (9-2) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 gs in Aug.
Nashwa 9-2 (9-6) Towards rear, 7th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and went 3rd 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final 150 yards, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Auguste Rodin (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Paddington 4-6fav (9-1) Tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Mostahdaf (9-8) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Rogue Millennium (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, last of 11, 6 3/4l behind Blue Rose Cen (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll gs in Oct.
Tahiyra (IRE) 5-6fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway early straight, 2nd and pushed along over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) gd in Sep beating Rogue Millennium (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
