settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong to 2nd close home
slowly into stride and rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, eased inside final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 2f out, strongly pressed leader from over 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well
held up, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Russian Soul and Jamesie finished third and fourth in a Listed event at Tipperary on Friday. This is a slightly higher grade contest but the former in particular is well up to it at his best. Rocky Ground, a winner at Windsor in June, hasn't done quite as well on his two latest starts but fellow traveller Hamza always does his best in these sort of races and will have been well prepared by Kevin Ryan. An Saighdiur is another who does his best at this level though he was behind MAAREK when they occupied the places in the race won by Slade Power here in May and it's the former, who won the Group 2 Duke Of York on soft ground earlier that month, who can take this despite a penalty.
Maarek 11-8fav (10-0) Soon raced towards rear in 5th, pushed along after halfway to close in 4th 2f out, 2nd from under 1f out but soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Slade Power (10-0) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) in May.
Hamza (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and pushed right over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Take Cover (9-1) at Goodwood 5f Grp 2 (1) gf.
An Saighdiur (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Pushed along and soon disputed lead, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression and short of room inside final furlong, no extra, last of 8, 5l behind Timeless Call (9-7) at Cork 5f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Jamesie (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, 4th on outer 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Darwin (9-12) at Fairyhouse 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Jul.
Rocky Ground (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Raced with one rival near side, never on terms with main group, led rival in group over 2f out and kept on inside final furlong, no chance with main group, 6th of 12, 5l behind Music Master (9-4) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Scream Blue Murder (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Stumbled leaving stalls, held up, pushed along 2f out, soon dropped to last and no impression, no extra inside final furlong, last of 6, 8l behind Fountain Of Youth (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Flight Risk (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, progress on outer over 2f out, went 4th over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Shining Emerald (9-3) at Curragh 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Sep.
Russian Soul (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Reluctant to go to post, dwelt, held up behind leaders, ridden and went 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Darwin (9-12) at Fairyhouse 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Jul.
