took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 2f out, driven outside approaching final furlong, soon edged left, unable to quicken after
held up in 7th, switched left 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance when hung badly left final furlong and no impression after
took keen hold, held up in 5th, not clear run and switched left inside final 2f, soon driven and beaten
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, edged left off rails over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up in 5th, driven to challenge 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong
held up in rear, smooth headway and got run on inside rail from 2f out, quickened between horses to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up in 6th or 7th, ridden on outside 3f out, weakened 2f out
led for 1f, tracked leader to 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
It is terrific to see Geoff Huffer with such a top class horse as Cockney Rebel and this one can confirm he is the best three-year-old colt over a mile by beating Dutch Art and Creachadoir. It is hard to forget the ecstatic look on Geoff's face as the son of Val Royal landed the 2000 Guineas at Newamrket. He had told everybody beforhand but the horse still managed to go off at odds of 25/1. No fancy prices were availble for the Irish version, but in hindsight 6/4 wasn't a bad price as he comfortably beat Creachadoir by a length. That was a good effort by the runner up who has been a model of consistency this season, but The Rebel should be capable of confirming the form. He also holds Ducth Art, who finished third at Newmarket. However Peter Chapple-Hyam's charge was drawn on the wrong side, but he did come from last to first to decisively beat his rivals. All things being equal today he looks the main threat to the selection. The O'Brien camp are represented by Guineas fourth Duke Of Marmalade, Excellent Art, a top juvenile and French Guineas winner Astronomer Royal. So it is not an easy task for Cockney Rebel, but we expecet him to once again make Mr Huffer and Steve Harley smile.
Astronomer Royal (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Held up, headway 2f out, led final furlong, ran on well, won at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in May beating Creachadoir (9-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Cockney Rebel (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Settled 3rd, led under 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed 1f out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 gf in May beating Creachadoir (9-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Creachadoir (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 2 1/2f out, 2nd and challenged 1f out, kept on well, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Cockney Rebel (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 gf in May.
Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th and ridden over 2 1/2f out, 3rd and challenged on far rail 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure, 4th of 12, 2l behind Cockney Rebel (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 gf in May.
Dutch Art 14-1 (9-0) Raced in rear on far side, headway over 2f out, led far side group inside final furlong, no chance with stand's side, 3rd of 24, 2 1/2l behind Cockney Rebel (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Excellent Art 6-1 (9-2) Rear, strong headway when switched over 1f out, not clear run, finished well, 4th of 14, 3l behind Astronomer Royal (9-2) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
He's A Decoy (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, 7th and headway 2f out, 5th over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Cockney Rebel (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 gf in May.
Jack Junior (USA) (8-9) Mid-division, headway 3f out, effort 2f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Asiatic Boy (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) std in Mar.
