chased leaders, 6th halfway, some headway to go 4th briefly early straight, no extra from over 1f out
always towards rear, never a factor
always behind, never a factor
led and soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, headed under pressure approaching straight, no impression in 8th 2f out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, rapid headway on inner entering straight to join issue, no chance with easy winner and dropped to 4th 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 7th early straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out without threatening
chased clear leader, closer in 2nd halfway, driven along and no extra entering straight, weakened
chased leaders, 8th halfway, no extra early straight, weakened
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway approaching straight and went 3rd 2f out, no chance with easy winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased clear leader, closer in 3rd halfway, led approaching straight, headed under pressure 2f out, soon no extra and weakened
rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, some headway into 5th 2f out, went moderate 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace but no chance with easy winner
towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, led 2f out, soon asserted and clear 1f out, kept on well, very easily
Three-year-olds have the best recent record in this and SAPPHIRE can continue the trend. Dermot Weld's filly found the progressive Manieree too strong in a Group 2 over 1m2f here a month ago but the remainder were well beaten off and the longer trip is a bonus. John Oxx is also represented by a couple from the younger brigade in Swampfire and Cape Of Good Grace but Johnny Murtagh has chosen the four-year-old What A Charm and she looks a live danger. The winner of the Fred Winter at Cheltenham when trained by Arthur Moore, she finished in front of her stablemates and today's rival Kissable when making a successful debut from Celtic Soprano for her new trainer in a Listed contest at Listowel last month and the softer the ground the better for her. Aoife Alainn, a Group 1 winner in Italy, will appreciate the softer ground here but has yet to run beyond 1m2f while it was very fast going when Pink Symphony landed the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes at Cork in July for which she is penalised.
Pink Symphony 8-1 (9-9) Settled in rear of mid-division, went moderate 5th on outer 2f out, closer 1f out, stayed on well under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks gf in Jul beating Haziyna (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Bancnuanaheireann (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, some headway over 2f out, soon ridden and no extra under pressure from over 1f out, last of 6, 7l behind Rock And Roll Kid (9-3) at Curragh 7f stks hvy in Sep.
Noble Prince (GER) 25-1 (9-2) Led, driven over 3f out, headed and approaching straight, soon weakened, 11th of 10, well behind Bannaby (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct '08.
What A Charm (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Soon led and made most, pushed along and headed approaching straight, rallied on inner to lead again well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Sep beating Celtic Soprano (9-6) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Aoife Alainn (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, driven along entering straight, no extra from 2f out, 13th of 15, 20l behind Bible Belt (8-12) at Curragh 1m 1f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Celtic Soprano (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Mid-division, 10th under 4f out, no extra and kept on same pace from 2f out, 9th of 15, 15l behind Solo Performer (8-13) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp in Sep.
Western Pearl 14-1 (9-3) Chased leader until inside final 3f, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 7l behind Sea Of Heartbreak (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Swampfire (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, went 3rd approaching straight, soon ridden and no extra from 1f out, 5th of 13, 6l behind What A Charm (9-6) at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Sep.
Amazing Beauty (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Led, strongly pressed from 2f out, joined under pressure inside final furlong, headed closing stages, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Takapour (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f stks pol in Sep.
Cape Of Good Grace (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway into 6th approaching straight, no impression from 1f out, 6th of 13, 7l behind What A Charm (9-6) at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Sep.
Kissable (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind What A Charm (9-6) at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Sep.
Make My Heart Sing (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Prominent, 3rd before straight, no extra and kept on same pace from 2f out, 10th of 15, 19l behind Solo Performer (8-13) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp in Sep.
Sapphire (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression winner, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Manieree (8-12) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 2 flls (1) in Sep.
