tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened
led, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway between horses to lead over 1f out, driven out and stayed on well inside final furlong
settled in rear, 5th 2f out, 4th and pushed along when slightly checked 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure into 3rd final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out and no impression 1f out, dropped to 4th and no extra final 100 yards
chased leaders on outer, pushed along halfway and dropped to rear 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, kept on one pace
Uleavemebreathless, runner-up in a Group 3 here last year, may not quite have the scope of some of these rivals but Tobann looked a very progressive filly when landing a maiden at Gowran impressively and can get involved. FORTIFY looked an improving type when scoring at Cork and though unable to cope with Talitha Klum at Naas he was conceding 8lb to the winner and time may tell that was an impossible task. He's handed the vote though Cougar Ridge will be a threat if able to recapture his best juvenile form. Pop Art had Moth behind when scoring at Naas in October and he's another to consider on his return to action.
Big Whiskey (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Broke well and led early, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Naas 7f 3yo mdn sft in Apr beating Ramsa (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fortify 7-4 (9-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, travelling best under 2f out, ridden 1f out and not match winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, nk behind Talitha Kum (9-0) at Naas 1m 3yo stk sft in Apr.
Sruthan (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved in 3rd 2f out, pushed out to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, won at Dundalk 1m 3yo mdn auc stks pol in Mar beating Pearl Of Africa (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Pop Art (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Very slowly away and well off pace in rear, poor 9th over 2f out, quickened well into 2nd 1f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Naas 6f 2yo fll mdn hvy in Oct beating Slope (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Tobann (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Ponied to start, chased leaders, close 4th travelling well entering straight, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Gowran Park 7f mdn stks sft in Apr beating Silver Lightening (9-2) by 7l, 16 ran.
Uleavemebreathless 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 5th and ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 5l behind Seolan (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2yo fll Listed stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Cougar Ridge (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5l behind Lines of Battle (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 2yo Listed stks (1) pol in Oct.
