Godolphin

7 ran 1m41.06  
Owner: M. Tabor,Mrs J.Magnier, Niarchos Family

Not an obvious source of very smart prospects in recent years, the last subsequent top-level scorer to take it Benny The Dip back in 1996, and this year's field looked far from outstanding as a bunch, none having tasted success in pattern company previously, six of the 7 having attempted it, though it's probably still best to take a positive view of the first 2 given they drew clear off a strong pace, Admiralofthefleet's effort probably close to the usual standard and his time very much the best of the meeting in relative terms. ADMIRALOFTHEFLEET (USA) has progressed with each of his 4 starts to date, markedly so faced with more of a test of stamina here, as his pedigree suggested he would, opening his account in pattern company at the second attempt, paying a compliment to late-withdrawal Halicarnassus who beat him in the Superlative; he didn't look to be all out, even though he'd had to wait for a run as he was angled wide 2f out, coming under maximum pressure only briefly as he swept down the outer, winning going away; typically for one from his stable, he holds entries in most of the top events this autumn, and he remains open to improvement. MEDICINE PATH evidently possesses more stamina than he's bred to, improving again on his first try beyond 7f; he didn't look the easiest of rides this time, taking a while to pick up the bit in rear, though that might have aided him as he raced away from a strong pace, and he did nothing wrong in the finish, beating the remainder comfortably for all the winner pegged him back after he'd led 2f out. KIRKLEES (IRE) has been unable to get any closer than third in 3 starts in Group 2 company, and it looks as though his form's levelled out for now, the longer trip failing to bring about any improvement; he is at least proving consistent, however, and a big, strong colt, he has the scope to train on well next year, when he's likely to stay 10f. CHAMPLAIN has failed to build on his Chesham success in 2 starts, though he did at least return to that sort of level upped again in trip 10 weeks on from disappointing as favourite in the Superlative (with Admiralofthefleet further down the betting), forced rather wide too; he has plenty of stamina on the dam's side, and is likely to stay 10f/12f next year. GOLD OPTION was the only runner not to have tackled pattern company previously and proved very disappointing, unable to challenge and folding tamely in the last 2f; it's possible his form isn't so strong as looked the case, beating only one rival last time, whilst the maiden he won has thrown up little in the way of useful types for all the runner-up won subsequently. ABIDE WITH ME (USA) (Danehill half-brother to smart Irish 1m winner Queen Cleopatra; dam, Sequoyah, won Moyglare Stud Stakes and fourth in Irish Oaks, out of sister to dam of high-class sprinter/miler Dolphin Street and Irish 2000 Guineas winner Saffron Walden) hasn't progressed from his debut in 3 starts subsequently for all he opened his account last time, albeit this still some way below his fairly useful best. GWEEBARRA clearly wasn't himself, his rider looking down approaching halfway before easing up as if all wasn't well.