held up in 6th, 5th and ridden early straight, improved into 2nd over 1f out, kept on under pressure
settled 3rd, moderate 2nd early straight, ridden over 2f out, 4th and no extra from over 1f out
led, clear halfway, ridden straight, headed 1 1/2f out, weakened from over 1f out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, effort early straight, 5th and no impression from 1 1/2f out
prominent, moderate 2nd halfway, weakened early straight, eased final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression straight, eased final furlong
held up in 5th, headway over 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
held up in rear, progress on outer early straight, 4th under 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, stayed on well
Three-year-olds have a very good record in this which suggests STEINBECK can have the edge. Twice a failure behind Canford Cliffs at the highest level earlier in the year, he bounced back with a smooth victory in a listed contest at Killarney last time and has nothing to fear from Wade Giles on that form. Jumbajukiba won this in 2007 and 2008 and came back from a long absence to run well over 7f on testing ground here in April. He has another absence to contend with but isn't done with yet and should go well. Arazan is the most interesting entry as John Oxx' colt has raced just three times, all in his juvenile year where he easily won his first two races before finishing a very good third behind Mastercraftsman and Shaweel in the National Stakes. The much travelled Zafisio is another to keep an eye on as he ended last year winning Group 3 events in France and Germany.
Across The Rhine (USA) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out, 21st of 25, 12l behind Bangalore Gold (9-0) at Curragh 1m hcap gf in May.
Arazan (IRE) 9-10fav (9-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd and ridden from over 2f out, no impression from 1 1/2f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Mastercraftsman (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 hvy in Sep '08.
Jumbajukiba 7-1 (9-0) Soon led, strongly pressed 2f out, soon headed, dropped to 3rd 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Kargali (9-0) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Apr.
Pollen (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, weakened, last of 9, 6l behind Shamwari Lodge (8-12) at Curragh 1m fll stks G3 (1) gf in May.
Zafisio (IRE) 12-5 (9-0) won at Frankfurt(GER) 1m 2f Grp 3 hvy in Nov beating Liang Kay (9-2) by 12l, 13 ran.
Maybe Grace (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, headway into 8th 2f out, ridden and no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 15, 17l behind Duchess Of Foxland (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m 1f fll lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Steinbeck (IRE) 5-4fav (9-1) Always prominent, close 3rd on inner 2f out, ridden to lead along rail 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Killarney 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Aug beating Ask Jack (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Wade Giles (IRE) 13-8 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden in 6th entering straight, 5th on outer under 2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Steinbeck (9-1) at Killarney 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Dandy Boy (ITY) 5-1 (9-7) Held up and keen hold, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final furlong, not match winner, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Beethoven (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Enchanted Evening (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th and ridden early straight, weakened under 2f out, eased inside final furlong, last of 12, 10l behind Obama Rule (8-12) at Curragh 1m 1f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
