soon raced towards rear in 5th, pushed along after halfway to close in 4th 2f out, 2nd from under 1f out but soon no impression, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders in 3rd and a little keen, closed travelling smoothly 2f out, led over 1f out, soon pressed but quickly asserted and stayed on well
soon tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and dropped to last from 2f out, dropped behind from over 1f out, soon eased
soon settled in rear, closed travelling smoothly in 5th 2f out, soon not much room, 4th and no impression from 1f out, kept on same pace
led, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression, kept on same pace
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, dropped to 5th and no extra from 1f out
Aidan O'Brien is the only Irish trainer to have won this in the past eight years but there are no UK challengers this time. Darwin represents the yard and he looks to have been earmarked for a sprinting career as he's in all the top races over the summer. He's never raced over a trip this short for Ballydoyle but beat the useful Gordon Lord Byron over 7f here last summer. But his overall form so far doesn't match that of MAAREK and Slade Power and it's the former who is handed the vote. The Prix De L'Abbaye winner loves these conditions as he showed in the Duke Of York Stakes last time and could just have the edge on Eddie Lynam's charge, who wasn't beaten far in this last year on his comeback and went on to greater glory in the British Champion Sprint at Ascot where he had his stablemate Viztoria over three lengths back in third. An Saighdiur is a fine handicapper but Listed class at best and the three-year-old Focus On Venice has a lot to do in this class.
Maarek 12-1 (9-13) In touch, headway 2f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at York 6f Grp 2 (1) sft beating Astaire (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Slade Power (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) 10th of 14, 8l behind Lord Kanaloa (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Darwin 4-7fav (9-5) Settled behind leaders in 4th, closer in 3rd 3f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, kept on same pace, just held 3rd at line, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Brendan Brackan (9-7) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Viztoria (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Raced on near side rail, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, never going pace of leading duo, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Slade Power (9-0) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in Oct.
An Saighdiur (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Close up in near side group to 2f out where 6th, dropped to moderate 8th and no impression 1f out, 8th of 10, 7l behind Guerre (9-0) at Naas 5f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
Focus On Venice (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Alkasser (9-3) at Curragh 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gf.
