Racecards
14:35 York
Sportsman Champagne Stakes (group 2) (Class 1)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- Form 213
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer T P Tate
- Jockey Tony Culhane
behind, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 12
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer G A Huffer
- Jockey D J O'Donohoe
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
- Form 512
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well to take 2nd towards finish
- Form 210
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 87
behind, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
- Form 213
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
led, headed 3f out, one pace
- Form 1
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey P Robinson
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 11
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Richard Hughes
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 11
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer E J O'Neill
- Jockey R Mullen
with leader and keen, led 3f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
Verdict
The trio of Thousand Words, Prince Forever and Vital Equine all put unbeaten records on the line but they face a stiff task against Eagle Mountain, who is taken to go one better than at the Curragh last time. The selection surprised many when chasing home Teofilio in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes on what was his first start since May that day but there looked to be no fluke by the run and Aidan O'Brien's son of Rock Of Gibraltar is taken to go one better here. Mark Johnston's Kirklees lost no caste in defeat behind the progressive Strategic Prince at Goodwood last time and has to be respected, while Cockney Rebel looks to be going the right way but this looks a lot tougher for him. Thousand Words looks the pick of the unbeaten trio but Eagle Mountain sets a decent standard and he gets the vote.
Formwatch
Celtic Sultan (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (9-0) Prominent on outer, driven over 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quite pace to challenge, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Dubai's Touch (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Cockney Rebel (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Doctor Brown (8-11) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) sft in Aug.
Eagle Mountain 16-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, 5th and headway 1 1/2f out, 2nd and challenged inside final furlong, every chance close home, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Teofilo (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Fishforcompliments 12-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened final furlong, 11th of 19, 9l behind Doctor Brown (8-11) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) sft in Aug.
Kirklees (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon outpaced by winner, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Strategic Prince (9-3) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Prince Forever (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Pressed leader, led overr 2f out, driven and stayed on well final furlong, won at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug beating Thabaat (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Thousand Words 15-8 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up, headway over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Newbury 7f 2yo stk (3) gf in Jul beating Drumfire (8-13) by a nk, 7 ran.
Vital Equine (IRE) 4-9fav (9-2) Prominent, driven halfway, led over 1f out, edged left, ran on, won at Yarmouth 6f nov aut stk (6) gf in Jun beating Blue Madeira (9-6) by 3l, 6 ran.