led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, plugged on same pace in 3rd, no chance with winner
close 3rd far side of group, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, impressive
edgy prior to loading, raced keenly tracking leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened quickly 3f out
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, went 2nd again inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
held up off the pace in last pair, promising headway on heels of leaders 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
outpaced in rear, pushed along headway near side of group tracking leaders 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, soon wandered and finished tired
tracked leaders near side of group, pushed along over 3f out, weakened soon after
Donnacha O’Brien’s yard is in great form but Starliner was all out to land a Limerick maiden last month. Aidan O’Brien’s CHIEF LITTLE ROCK was no match for Deepone in the Group 2 Beresford at the Curragh three weeks ago but still finished ahead of better-fancied stablemates Grosvenor Square and Navy Seal. He is on an upward curve and the return to better ground will suit. Ancient Wisdom steps up in trip having lost his unbeaten record in Listed company at Ascot while Per Contra looks up against it upped in class along with the once-raced pair Ambiente Friendly and Orne. Arabic Legend was still showing signs of inexperience when second at Salisbury, however, and he should be thereabouts.
Ambiente Friendly (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Made all, pushed along 2f out, stayed on well and in command inside last, comfortably, won at Leicester 7f mdn stks (3) gs in Sep beating Majed (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ancient Wisdom (FR) 7-4fav (9-5) Raced near side of group, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with impressive winner, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Rosallion (9-5) at Ascot 7f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Arabic Legend (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Arabian Crown (9-3) at Salisbury 1m lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Chief Little Rock (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Prominent, tracked leader in 2nd after 1f, ridden and no impression 2f out, disputed 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd on line, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Deepone (9-5) at Curragh 1m Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Orne (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Tracked leader on inside, ridden to press leader over 1f out, sustained challenge inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Kempton 7f stks (4) pol in Sep beating Grand Karat (9-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Per Contra (IRE) 1-9fav (9-11) In rear, going well on outside 2f out, ridden to lead final furlong, soon clear, readily, won at Ffos Las 7f stks (5) sft in Aug beating Chiefman (9-4) by 4 3/4l, 4 ran.
Starliner (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Led, pressed halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, joined last 50 yards, edged ahead close home, won at Listowel 7f mdn sft in Sep beating My Princess (9-2) by hd, 5 ran.
