held up, 7th 4f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, soon short of room and switched to inner, kept on to 2nd again close home
always towards rear
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 4th and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway in 8th 4f out, 4th 3f out, closer in 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge and edged left 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra under 3f out
always towards rear
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, kept on same pace
made all, ridden and challenged over 2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 3f out, soon no extra and weakened
CHICAGO cost 360,000gns and connections wouldn't have expected him to be running in a QR race on just his seventh start. He's lacked a bit of pace in his races so far but likes soft ground and, being by Montjeu and a half-brother to the very useful stayer Mikhail Glinka, this step up in trip could be the making of him. The one proviso is that his pilot has had very little experience though it's the same for almost all the others. Willie Mullins won this last year and is double represented this time with Deutschland, who has undoubtedly been disappointing since winning five times in 2009, and Moveable Asset, who hasn't had much experience but could be well handicapped. Burrenbridge Lodge landed a Grade 2 over hurdles in February but there's very little between he and One Cool Shabra on their run at Gowran in January and the latter has been in better form subsequently. Paramount started favourite for a similar event at Punchestown in May but ran poorly so Norah Starr, who was in good form at this time last year, could prove a better bet.
Dara Tango (FR) 12-1 (8-8) Mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, no extra in straight, 12th of 15, 26l behind Midnight Soprano (9-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in May.
Deutschland (USA) 20-1 (9-6) Towards rear for most, no impression from before straight, 10th of 13, 10l behind Sky Pilot (8-10) at Limerick 2m hcp 60-90 gd in Jun.
Paramount (FR) 4-1fav (12-3) 9th of 21, 14l behind Broadway Twist (11-7) at Punchestown 1m 7f stks sft in May.
Hayzoom 12-1 (8-7) Waited with towards rear, kept on same pace under pressure without threatening from under 4f out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Headford Flyer (8-13) at Clonmel 2m hcp 60-90 sft in May.
Moveable Asset (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, headway into 8th 2f out, ridden and no extra over 1f out, 9th of 16, 7l behind Tobar Na Gaoise (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp sft in Nov.
Chicago (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, ran around under pressure, no extra 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Massiyn (9-12) at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo hcp 60-100 sft in Jun.
Leblon (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Soon led, joined after halfway, went on over 6f out, reduced lead and headed over 3f out, still 2nd over 1f out, kept on without matching leaders final furlong, 4th of 9, 1l behind Dorset Square (9-3) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp 50-75 gd in Jul '11.
Viva Diva 13-2 (9-3) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 23l behind Bennelong (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Burrenbridge Lodge (IRE) 5-4fav (9-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight and dropped to 4th over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 5, 11l behind Strandfield Lady (10-2) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 50-80 sft in Jun.
One Cool Shabra (IRE) 10-3 (8-2) Soon led, headed into straight, dropped to moderate 4th under 3f out, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 36l behind Captain Cee Bee (9-6) at Curragh 2m hcp 60-100 sft.
Sutherland Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, 4th 4f out, lost place and no extra approaching straight, 16th of 20, 26l behind Easy Mate (9-7) at Galway 2m hcp 55-80 gd in Jul '10.
Norah Starr (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Dwelt, in rear, kept on without threatening straight, 7th of 12, 5l behind The Four Elms (9-6) at Limerick 1m 3f hcp 50-70 gd in Mar.
