mid-division, 5th halfway, headway to challenge 2f out and soon led, headed under pressure early final furlong, soon no impression and edged left final 100 yards
led, strongly pressed and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, eased when beaten final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led briefly over 2f out, soon no impression under pressure and dropped to 4th, kept on same pace final furlong
settled in rear, good progress on outer 2f out, led early final furlong and kept on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
settled towards rear, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace without threatening final furlong
chased leaders mainly 6th, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out and kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and no extra from 2f out
This is always a high-class event and Jim Bolger has won it in recent years with Teofilo and New Approach but today's two representatives, Cheerful Giver and Parish Hall, will need to do much better to emulate those classy performers. Aidan O'Brien has scored on five occasions in the past ten years with outstanding performers such as Cape Blanco and Hawk Wing. He is represented here by Astrology, Vault and DAVID LIVINGSTON and the trio are difficult to separate though the latter looked potentially very useful when slamming a field of maidens over the C&D in June and gets the vote. Vault and Dragon Pulse are very closely matched on their 1-2 over 6f here in June but it's Riviera Poet, who foiled a massive gamble on Ballydoyle's Learn at Galway, who looks the main threat to the selection.
Astrology (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Settled towards rear, progress on outer to go 4th 1f out, quickened well to lead 100 yards out and edged left, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 2yo mdn gd beating Canaille (9-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Cheerful Giver (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Led, edged right and headed entering straight, soon no extra, weakened, 5th of 6, 23l behind Remember Alexander (8-12) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Jul.
David Livingston (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Always prominent, led 3f out, ridden and kept on well, in command final furlong, won at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn gs in Jun beating Newbury Hall (9-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Dragon Pulse (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge under 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on best, won at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn sft in Jul beating Ellell Duke (9-3) by 1l, 13 ran.
Parish Hall (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Prominent, disputed lead before halfway, headed over 2f out, soon edged left, no extra from over 1f out, 8th of 9, 6l behind La Collina (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 1 gd.
Riviera Poet (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Soon tracked leaders in 4th, chased leader from 2f out, quickened well inside final furlong to lead final 50yds, won at Galway 7f 2yo mdn gd in Jul beating Learn (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 9-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride and ridden along to keep in touch, driven along and some headway on outer early straight, led under pressure early final furlong, kept on well, won at Tipperary 7f 2yo lst stk gf beating Battle Of Saratoga (9-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Vault (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Soon led, clear final furlong, stayed on well, won at Galway 7f 2yo hcp gd in Jul beating Blue White Fire (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
