Expert Analysis

A good Champion Stakes, featuring the previous year’s winner, Addeybb, and two of the best middle-distance performers of the year globally, in Adayar and Mishriff, though in the event none of those ran right up to their best, the first two not helped by getting racing a long way out (though Sealiway managed to sit just off them to no great detriment) but the last-named seeming just a bit off form. The pace varied, the section from 5f out to 2f out particularly strong and resulting in all runners returning finishing speeds of less than 99%.    

SEALIWAY (123 here, 116+ previously) proved well suited by the return to around 10f on a soft surface, impressing with how well he travelled and played a bit later than the two who kicked on before the home straight, leading 2f out and digging deep despite edging left to reassert near the line. He is high-class under these sorts of circumstances, for all there is a degree to which he benefited from the under-performance of others.  

DUBAI HONOUR (121 here, 118+ previously) justified being supplemented with his best effort yet, but did end up losing a race he seemed likely to win (touched 2/9 in running), free and steadied to the rear, still with a fair bit to do 3f out (no problem as things unfolded), getting there on the outside to challenge with 150 yards to go, but edging right then finding no extra. This trip may well be a maximum for him under these conditions, even with his customary exaggerated waiting tactics. 

MAC SWINEY (118 here and previously) finally returned to the form of his Irish 2000 Guineas win, though his proximity is one reason not to get carried away with the form overall, coming from some way back and checked/switched approaching the final 1f before staying on again. These may be close to ideal conditions for him now.

MISHRIFF (116 here, 127 previously) was below form, a bit slowly away and in mid-field, labouring by his usual standards 4f out but working his way into a challenging position 2f out before weakening. He is best judged on other efforts in what has been a lengthy, if not especially busy, campaign.

ADAYAR (109+ here, 127 previously) failed to see out his race again, the fact that he did plenty up front approaching and around the home turn only a partial excuse, and he does not look the same horse as lit up the early-summer. He was a bit worked up beforehand and slowly away, but soon prominent and sent for home 4f out, headed and weakening 2f later.

ADDEYBB (99+ here, 122 previously) may not have had the ideal preparation, last seen in the Eclipse in July, and compounded that by doing plenty up front mid-race, headed for sure 4f out and weakening soon after.

FOXES TALES (97 here, 111 previously) was facing a stiff task in first-time blinkers and tended to race freely before weakening.

AL AASY (92 here, 118 previously) never threatened and could be going the wrong way despite having been gelded before his previous run.

EUCHEN GLEN (80 here, 112 previously) was never a threat having been steadied, running poorly even mindful of the stiffness of the task facing him.