chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 6th 2f out, soon no extra
mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 8th 2f out, soon no extra
led early, tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, travelled well to lead over 2f out, soon ridden to assert and 4 lengths clear 1f out, kept on well, easily
chased leaders, 7th halfway, dropped to rear and no extra early straight, eased over 2f out, tailed off
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression on winner in 2nd over 1f out, kept on one pace
broke well, settled in rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, progress early straight and 4th over 2f out, soon no impression and moderate 6th 1f out, no extra
in rear, some progress on outer under 2f out and ridden to go moderate 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out and soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
towards rear, 9th halfway, ridden and some progress into 5th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
led after 1f, strongly pressed and headed over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, no extra
Aidan O'Brien had six entries at the early stage and relies on DEWDROP and Dancing On Air. The former, who cost 400,000gns, is lightly-raced and should have the most scope of the pair so looks the one to be on. Niven has progressed in maidens before coming here for a nursery and gaining a hard-fought victory. He's only been raised 3lb and there's more to come so has to be on the shortlist. Henshaw has been racing in stronger company since making a successful debut at Roscommon while Verbosity should be winning soon as she hasn't been beaten far in decent maiden company. Brontide ran well in a very strong maiden at the Curragh last time but performed moderately on his only start on soft ground.
Henshaw 13-2 (9-3) Soon led, under pressure and headed over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Last Waltz (8-11) at Roscommon 7f gd in Aug.
Dancing On Air (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Prominent, soon 2nd, pushed along on inner over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, one pace, 9th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Mint Chai (9-0) at Naas 1m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Verbosity (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Led early, tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, pushed along 2f out and soon no impression, kept on without troubling 1st 2 inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Queen Blossom (9-0) at Cork 1m mdn sft in Sep.
Brontide (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Pushed along and disputed early, soon chased leader, close up in 3rd halfway, disputed 3f out, ridden and led 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra 1f out, 9th of 22, 5 1/2l behind Hit It A Bomb (9-5) at Curragh 7f mdn Good - Yielding in Sep.
Dewdrop (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Soon raced in 8th, pushed along from 3f out, 6th 1f out and no impression, kept on, 5th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Kalisma (9-0) at Naas 7f mdn fll Yielding in Sep.
Candelaria 20-1 (9-5) Led or disputed lead, pushed along and headed entering straight, soon no extra, weakened, last of 16, 37 1/2l behind Newsman (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m mdn gd in Sep.
Caribbean Spring (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 10th approaching straight, no extra from under 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 15th of 18, 17 3/4l behind Niven (9-6) at Cork 1m hcp sft in Sep.
Niven (IRE) 6-1fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, soon closed travelling smoothly, pushed along to lead over 1f out, kept on well, just held on, won at Cork 1m hcp sft in Sep beating Smiling Emily (8-6) by hd, 18 ran.
Angelic Demon (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 12th approaching straight, pushed along to go 8th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 7th of 18, 3 3/4l behind Niven (9-6) at Cork 1m hcp sft in Sep.
Ravens Hill (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along from 3f out and soon almost on terms, weakened from 1 1/2f out, 9th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Bulgadin Lady (8-13) at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Oct.
Palmones (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division early, progress to 2nd after 2f, ridden to lead under 2f out, soon headed, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Red Stars (9-0) at Roscommon 7f mdn fll Yielding in Sep.
