mid-division on outer, ridden in 9th on outer 2f out, no impression
chased leaders on inner, ridden in 4th 2f out, 4th 1f out, headway to challenge in close 3rd inside final furlong, kept on to go 2nd near line
mid-division early until badly hampered and dropped to rear of mid-division after 1f, effort on wide outer over 2f out, soon checked briefly, no impression, never involved
in rear, ridden and some progress into 11th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
rear of mid-division early, headway into 8th 2f out, soon ridden, 5th on inner 1f out, close enough 5th when badly hampered on inner inside final furlong, not recover and eased
always towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
mid-division on outer, ridden in 12th on outer 2f out, 9th 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders on outer, progress to lead and ridden 1 1/2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed and dropped to 3rd close home
chased leader in 2nd, pushed along over 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden on wide outer over 2f out, some progress into 13th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
chased leaders, dropped to 6th and pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace under hands and heels final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, edged right under pressure briefly inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division on inner, closer 5th and ridden 2f out, 6th 1f out, good headway inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, eased final furlong
mid-division on outer, ridden in 7th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, 12th 2f out, no impression
This is a very tough handicap for punters to unravel with Aidan O'Brien complicating matters by saddling the trio at the head of the weights. Cocoon has been found wanting at Listed and Group level while the lightly-raced Cradle Mountain has a big weight on his handicap bow, though he ran very well behind the useful Bertie Le Belge at Killarney recently. King Of Aragon was always travelling nicely when scoring over 1m4f at Tipperary and is still in the Derby. He won't be inconvenienced by dropping back in trip and a bold bid is expected but BACK ON TOP (NAP) ran two excellent races in her first season and made a successful return to action at Limerick where she had a length to spare over Kissed By Angels, who then went to Leopardstown and easily landed a Group 3. The latter is now rated 108 so David Wachman's filly is thrown in on that form and has to be the selection. The likes of Tuk Tuk, Hot Sauce and Xebec are maiden winners with plenty of progress in them while Ringside Humour has been battling away in handicaps.
Cocoon (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) In rear, not much room on inner under 3f out and soon switched right, 6th 2f out, soon no impression, moderate 7th 1f out, one pace, 6th of 9, 12l behind Bocca Baciata (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) in Apr.
Cradle Mountain (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3 1/2f out, kept on to challenge over 2f out, disputed and every chance 1f out, no extra in 2nd close home, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Bertie Le Belge (9-7) at Killarney 1m 3yo stk sft.
King Of Aragon (IRE) 2-5fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, led after 1f, asserted 1f out and stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Tipperary 1m 4f 3yo mdn gf in Apr beating Jaleo (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Hurricane Cass (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, 5th 4f out, short of room 2f out and switched to outer, soon ridden and improved to challenge from 1f out, kept on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo mdn auc stks pol in Apr beating Blue Skimmer (9-5) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Marshall Jennings (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, switched left well over 1f out, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Christophermarlowe (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 2yo stks (3) gd in Sep.
Herewego (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 19l behind Stormfly (9-3) at Curragh 7f 3yo hcp hvy in Mar.
Back On Top (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Led or disputed lead, led 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Limerick 1m 3yo fll mdn gd in Apr beating Kissed By Angels (9-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Hot Sauce (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo fll stks gd in Apr beating Variable (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Shannon Soul (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, dropped to 4th over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Postulation (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3yo stks pol in Apr.
Ringside Humour (IRE) 11-2 (8-6) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, progress to 3rd 2f out, ridden under 1f out, ran on without threatening, 4th of 15, 2l behind Curvy (8-8) at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp gd.
Tuk Tuk 6-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Gowran Park 1m 4f 3yo mdn aut hvy beating Chicago Secret (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Xebec (USA) 5-2 (9-5) Soon led, edged slightly off rail on bend away from stands, joined from 3f out, pushed along to lead again under 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Sligo 1m 2f 3yo mdn hvy beating Jer's Girl (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Duca Valentinois (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sacrificial (9-12) at Killarney 1m 3yo hcp sft.
Brown Bee (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Made all, strongly pressed under 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, edged left close home, just held on, won at Clonmel 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut sft beating Sight Hound (9-5) by shd, 7 ran.
Fact Or Folklore (IRE) 2-5fav (9-0) Keen early before settling to track leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon disputed lead and led close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Apr beating Azamesse (9-0) by nk, 5 ran.
Jack Blue (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Led early, tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression on winner in 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 5, 3 1/2l behind King Of Aragon (9-5) at Tipperary 1m 4f 3yo mdn gf in Apr.
One Cool Poet (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, 13th halfway, progress approaching straight, went 3rd over 1f out, ridden to lead 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Limerick 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-70 gd in Apr beating Pat Harkin (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
