tracked leaders, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, hampered and squeezed out over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on, unable to challenge
soon close up, led 5f out, ridden, hung right and headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well
mid-division, took keen hold, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held close home
bumped start, held up in rear, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, hung left to stands rail inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, pulled hard, edged left 2f out, soon beaten, weakened entering final furlong
went right start, mid-division, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong
led, headed 5f out, weakened inside final furlong
The Hannon yard's stranglehold on this contest was broken by Aidan O'Brien with Highland Reel last year and AIR VICE MARSHAL looks to have every chance of following suit. The latter has a length to find with Birchwood on running in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket but Richard Fahey's colt is penalised for that success and the Ballydoyle colt can take his revenge. Beaverbrook was only fifth in the Superlative but is still preferred to stablemate Welford as the latter steps up in class after beating Palawan at Chester last time. Ibn Malik's debut win at Newmarket is working out well and he is preferred to Strong Challenge and Twin Sails while novice stakes winner Galileo Gold will need further improvement to figure in this company.
Birchwood (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, hung left final furlong, ridden out, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Air Vice Marshal (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Beaverbrook 5-1fav (9-1) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Birchwood (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Galileo Gold 13-8fav (9-2) Tracked leader, headway over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, soon edged left and ridden, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Haydock 7f stks (4) gs in Jul beating Hayadh (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ibn Malik (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Prominent, led 4f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Jun beating Comicas (9-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Palawan 5-4fav (8-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Welford (8-12) at Chester 7f stks (2) gd in Jul.
Strong Challenge (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Made all, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Goodwood 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun beating Gutaifan (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Twin Sails 15-8fav (8-11) Keen, close up, headway to lead entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Salisbury 6f stks (3) gf in Jun beating Unilit (8-2) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Welford 3-1fav (8-12) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Chester 7f stks (2) gd in Jul beating Gerrard's Quest (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Air Vice Marshal (USA) 11-4fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Birchwood (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
