Expert Analysis

An up-to-scratch Irish Champion, run on predominantly soft ground, though the fact that there were quite small margins between the first five, despite a true pace which led to the runners being strung out early on and the first four home all being close to the finishing speed par of 102%, shows that there was no absolute superstar on show. In contrast to a couple of earlier races, the runners stuck quite closely to the far rail in the closing stages, leading to a bit of trouble for the never-nearer third.

LUXEMBOURG (121 here, 116 previously) can’t have been 100% fit – which is what his trainer had said, to be fair – when scrambling home against Insinuendo the time before, and put up the performance of his short career to land this big prize, settled in mid-field, making an effort before 2f out and responding well to nose ahead with 1f to go, asserting for good near the line. He should stay 12f, though not necessarily improve for it, and connections may be tempted to stick to around this trip, at which he has now shown he is capable of high-class form. Baaeed is lengths ahead of him, but he is right up there with the best of the rest.

ONESTO (120 here, 118 previously) ran his best race yet, just not quite good enough on the day but very likely to continue to give a good account at this level at 10f/12f in what remains of the season. He was held up as usual, though not as far back as at times in the past, making headway up the inner mid-race, ridden to lead for a few strides around 1f out, then edged left and was held near the line. He had again put in some good late splits when winning the Grand Prix de Paris the time before and this effort was no surprise despite his odds.

VADENI (117+ here, 121 previously) is probably best judged by his Eclipse win, close to that form here despite things unfolding less than perfectly, held up and set plenty to do but closing over 2f out only to have to weave his way through, ending on the far rail and never quite getting in a blow. He is about the equal of Luxembourg judged on their respective best efforts.

MISHRIFF (116 here, 121 previously) was a shade below his best, as had been the case (more excusably) behind Baaeed at York, away well enough again but set a lot to do, closing after 3f out but making no further impression late on.

STONE AGE (115 here and previously) ran well, at least as well as he ever has especially considering how he was ridden, going a good pace and left alone up front, coming back only in the penultimate 1f and continuing to fade when headed just approaching the final 1f. There should be plenty of opportunities to make use of his strong-galloping style at just below the top level.

ALENQUER (108 here, 116 previously) was below his best, though had his work cut out in this grade anyway, tracking the pace and briefly going second 2f out, weakening thereafter.

BROOME (108 here, 117 previously) is a bit better at 12f and struggles a bit in the very highest grade anyway, soon recovering from a slow start here but in trouble before the home straight and weakening 2f out, not discredited in the circumstances.