soon led, pushed along and headed under 3f out, no extra from 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along and headway on far rail under 2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon ridden and 3rd over 150 yards out, no impression
slowly into stride, in rear, in touch 2f out, soon pushed along and no impression over 1f out, no extra
ran 6th, not clear run under 2f out, 5th and switched left over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd closing stages
always towards rear, pushed along and in touch over 2f out, no extra from 1 1/2f out
tracked leaders, 4th 3f out, travelled well and headway under 2f out, pushed along to lead 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along to challenge over 2f out, ridden and disputed lead briefly over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led under 3f out, pushed along 2f out and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
The Coolmore-owned SHALE, by Galileo out of 1000 Guineas winner Homecoming Queen, had Pretty Gorgeous in second, Snowfall in fourth and Finest well beaten when landing a Leopardstown Group 3 a couple of weeks ago. She'll act on the ground and can take care of Mother Earth, who couldn't quite go the pace in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes over 6f here but wasn't far behind the smart pair Aloha Star and Frenetic. Meala has improved with every run and could be a shining light in a so-far disappointing season for Jim Bolger. She tackled ground with some give for the first time at Galway and scored by eleven lengths easing down so deserves a crack at this grade and could kick-start her trainer's year.
Finest (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Led, 4 lengths clear 3f out, pushed along entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, soon headed and lost place, no extra, 7th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Shale (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
Meala (IRE) 11-4jfav (9-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along to close 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, asserted 1f out, kept on strongly to go clear inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Galway 7f mdn fll Yielding in Jul beating Umneyaat (9-2) by 11l, 8 ran.
Miramis (IRE) The Gurkha filly out of Chronicle.
Mother Earth (IRE) Evens (9-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, closed halfway, under pressure over 1f out, dropped to 3rd and ridden 1f out, kept on same pace under 1f out, 3rd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Aloha Star (9-2) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 fll stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
Palifico 5-2 (9-2) Chased leaders early, checked early and stumbled slightly, checked again after 1f and briefly dropped to mid-division, pushed along and closer in 4th 2f out, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, no impression on leaders final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 3 1/4l behind Thunder Beauty (9-2) at Curragh 6f mdn fll Yielding in Jul.
Pretty Gorgeous (FR) 2-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, travelling well entering straight, went 3rd under 2f out, soon ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Shale (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
Shale (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Prominent, soon chased leader, closed travelling well over 2f out, pushed along to challenge over 1f out, soon led, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug beating Pretty Gorgeous (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Snowfall (JPN) 3-1 (9-2) Dwelt, towards rear early, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 4th and kept on one pace inside final furlong, just failed for 3rd, 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Shale (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
