driven along start, soon led, ridden from 2f out, headed and dropped to 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd from before halfway, 2nd 1 1/2f out, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, swished tail, kept on well to lead near finish
tracked leaders in 4th, 5th under pressure under 2f out, kept on same pace
held up, 6th and ridden over 1 1/2f out, no impression
towards rear throughout, lost touch from 2f out
broke well, settled 2nd, led 1 1/2f out, ridden and strongly pressed final furlong, kept on well, headed near finish
tracked leaders in 5th, 4th under pressure 1 1/2f out, no impression, one pace
towards rear throughout, ridden and lost touch 2f out, eased inside final furlong
Aidan O'Brien won this four times in succession with short-priced favourites from 2003-2006 and is triple-handed here. EMPEROR HADRIAN looks the pick of the trio as though he's won just once in eight starts he's been competing at a very high level and this represents a drop in grade. He just holds stablemate Queen Of Spain on their run in a Group 3 here last time while Holy Alliance finished a long way last on her debut here last month. David Wachman has won the last two renewals but Sydney Harbour was behind Emperor Hadrian and Queen of Spain last time and doesn't look good enough while Oor Jock was also beaten in the same event. Longhunter's debut victory at Leopardstown led to Kevin Prendergast sending him into Group 2 company and he hasn't performed badly behind Formosina and Pathfork. Katla is progressing fast but needs major improvement from her Cork maiden victory while Jim Bolger is throwing newcomer Stylish One in at the deep end though he must believe she is capable of a decent performance.
Emperor Hadrian (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in 7th, kept on without threatening from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Dingle View (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Longhunter 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders on far rail, travelling well in 4th under 3f out, switched left 2f out, soon ridden and no extra from over 1f out, 6th of 7, 6l behind Pathfork (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Oor Jock (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Prominent, 3rd halfway, dropped to 5th 2f out, soon no extra, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Dingle View (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Sydney Harbour (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, no impression from 2f out, 6th of 9, 4l behind Dingle View (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Holy Alliance (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride and always towards rear, no threat from under 3f out, last of 8, 22l behind Banimpire (9-0) at Curragh 7f 2yo fll gf in Aug.
Katla (IRE) 9-4 (8-12) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, challenged on outer under 2f out, soon led, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Cork 6f 2yo mdn gd in Aug beating Jamesie (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Queen Of Spain (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 9, 5l behind Dingle View (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Stylish One (IRE) Invincible Spirit filly out of Great Hope.
