pushed along from stalls and settled behind leaders in 4th, pushed along in 5th from 3f out, no impression from 1f out and kept on into 4th close home
soon led, pushed along from 3f out, soon headed and weakened, no extra and eased from over 1f out
towards rear and 7th from halfway, ridden and dropped to rear from 3f out, no impression from 2f out and eased inside final furlong
went slightly right from stalls and soon short of room, settled in mid-division and 6th from halfway, pushed along over 2f out, no impression and eased from over 1f out
towards rear and 8th from halfway, closer in 6th from 3f out, pushed along from 2f out and soon went 3rd, ridden to dispute lead from 1f out and kept on best to lead close home
squeezed for room from stalls and soon pushed along, settled behind leader in 2nd and dropped to 3rd from halfway, pushed along from 3f out and soon ridden, no impression in 4th from 1f out and dropped to 5th close home
chased leaders, improved into closer 2nd from halfway and led from 3f out, ridden from 2f out, pressed from 1f out, soon headed and dropped to 3rd, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong
pushed along from stalls and settled in mid-division, 5th from halfway and soon pushed along, closer in 3rd from 3f out and ridden in 2nd from 2f out, further progress to dispute lead from 1f out, headed and no extra close home
slow into stride and soon edged right toward rail, in rear from halfway, ridden in 8th from 2f out, no impression in 6th from 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong
RULER OF FRANCE won this in 2016 and returned from a long break to be narrowly beaten over a mile at Leopardstown last month. He came here later in the month and regained the winning thread, his third victory in as many starts on the track, and is still well enough treated to remain unbeaten here. The three-year-old Dawn Hoofer has to be a major threat as she's been in superb form, scoring three times in the past few weeks and only narrowly beaten another three times. Spruce Meadows generally competes at a higher level than this though has to concede plenty of weight to in-form rivals but last year's easy winner Remarkable Lady is gradually dropping to a more reasonable mark. Elm Grove has changed stables and hasn't won for well over a year.
Spruce Meadows (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Held up, 12th halfway, no impression from over 2f out, 12th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Low Sun (9-6) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in Jun.
Remarkable Lady (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Raced mainly in 5th, dropped to rear from 4f out, pushed along from 3f out and ridden from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 5th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Cimeara (8-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gf in Jul.
Sevenleft (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Soon raced in 7th, closed and effort straight, no impression from 2f out, no extra and eased closing stages, 9th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Maths Prize (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul.
Secret Wizard (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led, headed after 2 1/2f, moderate 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra from 1f out, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Settle For Bay (9-10) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Elm Grove (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) In rear on outer, ridden 3f out, soon no impression, 10th of 20, 14 3/4l behind On The Go Again (9-2) at Naas 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Ruler Of France 11-8fav (10-0) Made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Ballinrobe 1m 2f hcp gd in Jun beating Lady Nathaniel (9-8) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dawn Hoofer (IRE) 2-1 (9-7) Chased clear leaders, soon 3rd, headway from before straight, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just held on, won at Killarney 1m 3f hcp fll gd in Jul beating Dancing Doll (9-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
California Lad 16-1 (9-9) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 4th over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 4l behind Ruler Of France (10-0) at Ballinrobe 1m 2f hcp gd in Jun.
Palmones (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Dwelt, raced in rear, 6th 4f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, never a factor, last of 6, 7 3/4l behind Nimitz (9-6) at Navan 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul.
