tracked leaders, a little keen, soon close up, lost place from under 5f out, no extra and eased approaching straight, completely tailed off
chased leaders, a little keen, 3rd approaching straight, challenged in 2nd from under 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong to just hold on at the finish
chased leaders, a little keen, 5th approaching straight, no extra from under 3f out, tailed off
soon led, joined from after halfway, headed 6f out, soon lost place and pushed along, weakened, eased straight, completely tailed off
led briefly early, close up, on terms from after halfway, led 6f out, pressed and joined from over 2f out, soon headed, no extra in 4th from over 1f out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, 2nd approaching straight, challenged and on terms from over 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, one pace
towards rear, closer in 8th approaching straight, soon no extra, tailed off
mid-division, 6th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
mid-division, 7th approaching straight, soon no extra, tailed off
mid-division, lost place and no impression under pressure 5f out, no extra and eased approaching straight, completely tailed off
towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon under pressure and no danger, completely tailed off
towards rear, detached from before halfway and pushed along, soon no extra and weakened, completely tailed off
mid-division, closer in 4th approaching straight, moderate 3rd over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, not quite get to winner
A much stronger event than usual to complete the card with six previous bumper winners in the line up. Aidan O'Brien has had a superb year with his bumper horses and Lieutenant is likely to make a bold bid to continue the sequence. He gained his first victory over 2m4f at Tipperary but was travelling well throughout and the drop in trip is no problem. Danali scored between the flags before an impressive victory at Tipperary but it is CHAMPAGNE HARMONY who looks the one to be on. Stephen Mahon's charge attracted good support on his debut at Galway last month and was very impressive in beating that good yardstick Glendine River. Beyond The Obvious had been threatening to win for some time before doing so at Navan while point to point winner Pause And Ponder defied a huge starting price to chase home the odds on Yorkhill at Gowran in March.
Beyond The Obvious (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Soon tracked leaders at slow pace early, led inside first half mile, still travelling smoothly straight, stayed on well from over 1f out, easily, won at Navan 2m Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Cherry Bomb (11-4) by 4 3/4l, 11 ran.
Champagne Harmony (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) Prominent in 2nd, almost on terms 4f out, progress to lead narrowly under 3f out, travelled well and asserted under 2f out, kept on strongly, very easily, won at Galway 2m gd in Oct beating Glendine River (11-7) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Justforjames (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Led, ridden and pressed straight, joined from 2f out, soon headed, 5th from 1f out, one pace, 6th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Prickly (12-0) at Limerick 2m gd in May.
Laid Back Luke (IRE) 5-2fav (12-0) Led, ridden approaching straight, headed 2f out and soon no extra, 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Ice Cold Soul (12-0) at Limerick 2m 3f Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Lieutenant (IRE) 1-4fav (12-0) Led and disputed, headed after 4f, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 6f out, ridden 2f out, kept on strongly final furlong, won at Tipperary 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Oct beating Free Stone Hill (12-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Danali (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, soon 8th, improved into 3rd from 4f out, chased leader straight, led 1 1/2f out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Tipperary 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in May beating Jodies Miss (11-9) by 7l, 11 ran.
Island Of Hope (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) In rear, 6th halfway, progress to 5th 4f out, no impression leaders under 3f out, no extra over 2f out, 5th of 7, dist behind Champagne Harmony (12-0) at Galway 2m gd in Oct.
Oldfriendsarebest (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of La Reina.
Pause And Ponder (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Held up in 5th, headway into 3rd 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, kept on under pressure in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Yorkhill (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m 2f sft in Mar.
Bit Of A Messer (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Slowly away & alw last, to 4out, cto 2out & pu bef last, at Dromahane 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Vicky Milan (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-div, 7th 1/2way, mod 9th bef 3out, soon no ex, pu bef last, at Ballysteen 3m mdn gs in May.
Bellastar (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Always trailing, ridden and weakened over 6f out, completely tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Una's Pleasure (11-9) at Limerick 2m sft in Nov.
Commeragh Trix (IRE) Mountain High filly out of Five Trix.
