chased leader in 2nd, pushed along and led 3f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, short of room briefly close home
led, ridden and headed 3f out, no impression on leaders in 3rd from 2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden in 5th 3f out, no impression
held up in 6th, ridden from 3f out, soon no impression
chased leaders in 4th, ridden from 3f out, moderate 5th 2f out, regained moderate 4th 1f out, no impression
chased leaders in 3rd on outer, went 2nd 3f out, ridden and improved to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, edged right close home
always behind, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
Coolmore have won this with some outstanding performers in recent years and will be hoping Anthony Van Dyck can follow suit. After an easy Group 3 victory at Leopardstown, he only had half-a-length to spare over stable companion Christmas in the Group 2 Futurity here last month but was always holding the runner-up and will be difficult to beat. Land Force and Mohawk also represent Aidan O'Brien and the former looked a smart prospect when landing the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood before a moderate effort when stepped up Group 1 level in the Prix Morny at Deauville. Godolphin won this with the high-class Dubawi back in 2004 and will be hoping his son QUORTO can follow suit. He had the Ballydoyle colt Cape Of Good Hope in second when landing the Superlative Stakes so the latter's yard should have a good idea of where they stand but Charlie Appleby's colt still looked in need of experience despite winning easily and should have made enough progress to repel the home contingent.
Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) 4-6fav (9-3) Soon chased leaders in 3rd and pushed along at stages, progress and on terms under 2f out, led under 1f out, stayed on well, won at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Aug beating Christmas (9-3) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Christmas (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Led and went on, pushed along and reduced lead 2f out, soon joined, headed under 1f out, kept on well without matching winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Highland Fortune (USA) 5-2jfav (9-3) Soon raced in 4th, closed up travelling smoothly straight, bumped slightly 2f out, ridden to challenge and on terms 1f out, headed and kept on without quite matching winner from 100yds out, 2nd of 7, nk behind Christmas (9-3) at Tipperary 7f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Land Force (IRE) (8-13) 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Pretty Pollyanna (8-10) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 stks gd in Aug.
Mohawk (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Waited with, soon raced in 5th, pushed along over 3f out, improved to challenge under 2f out, one pace 1f out, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Anthony Van Dyck (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Quorto (IRE) 5-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, drew readily clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Cape Of Good Hope (9-1) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Wargrave (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Soon raced in 3rd, effort when bumped 2f out, not match front pair when not much room and switched right under 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Christmas (9-3) at Tipperary 7f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
