chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway to 2nd and challenged 2f out, ridden and no extra 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway on outer to 6th 1f out, ridden and no impression, kept on same pace final furlong
made all, challenged 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong
prominent, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra and soon weakened
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, no impression leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, headway on outer to 7th 1f out, ridden and no impression, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in mid-division, 8th halfway, 7th 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, no impression leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra and soon weakened
chased leaders on outer, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, late headway in 9th over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Another nice race on 2000 Guineas day and this Group Three sprint can go the way of RAIN DELAYED ahead of Velvet Flicker and Alfred Nobel. Ger Lyons is another trainer who continues on an upward curve and his Rain Delayed is another good horse for the yard. The son of Oasis Dream has certainly improved from three to four as his latest win at Cork indicates. He beat a nice field in that Listed contest and his trainer certainly feels there is more to come. Furthermore, the horse is Keagan Latham's favourite in the yard, this horse will go close. Velvet Flicker is only a three-year-old but has shown some nice form around this trip. Kevin Prendergast feels he will improve for the step up in trip but it's very tough for a three-year-old to beat seasoned sprinters this early in the year. Alfred Nobel represents a top stable so must be respected. His last run was terrible but huge improvement can be expected. Luisant and Markab are others to note but Rain Delayed gets our vote.
Snaefell (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Towards rear, closer halfway, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 15, 6l behind Rain Delayed (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks gf in Apr.
Jimmy Styles 12-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Royal Rock (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Luisant 10-3 (9-9) Led, driven along from over 1f out, kept on well, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 9, nk behind Velvet Flicker (8-10) at Naas 5f Listed stks gd in Apr.
Markab 3-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden and edged left 1f out, driven and stayed on gamely when challenged towards finish, won at Thirsk 6f stks (2) gf in Apr beating Damien (9-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Rain Delayed (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Close 2nd on far side, ridden to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, stayed on well and all out to hold on close home, won at Cork 6f Listed stks gf in Apr beating Miss Gorica (9-4) by hd, 15 ran.
Six of Hearts 7-1 (9-7) In touch on stands' side, ridden from 2 1/2f out, no impression over 1f out, 9th of 15, 11l behind Rain Delayed (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks gf in Apr.
Invincible Ash (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and kept on one paced from 2f out, 7th of 15, 11l behind Rain Delayed (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks gf in Apr.
Alfred Nobel (IRE) 3-1 (9-8) Towards rear, no impression under pressure and tended to hold head to one side from 2f out, 7th of 8, 8l behind Keredari (9-1) at Curragh 7f 3yo lst stk hvy in Apr.
Air Chief Marshal (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Rear of mid-division, 8th entering straight, kept on well under pressure on outer from 1f out to go 4th close home, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Free Judgement (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 in Oct.
Kitty Kiernan 2-1fav (8-12) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no impression leader over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Cabaret (8-12) at Leopardstown 7f Group 3 fll stks (2yo) in Jul.
Velvet Flicker (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Settled towards rear, 7th 2f out, headway and squeezed through narrow gap under 1f out, quickened well to lead close home, won at Naas 5f Listed stks gd in Apr beating Luisant (9-9) by nk, 9 ran.
