tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge between horses from over 1f out, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, soon strongly pressed, kept on well
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along over 2f out, closed 1f out, kept on well closing stages without quite getting to winner
dwelt, took keen hold early, soon raced in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression and no extra in rear from over 1f out
held up in rear, pushed along early straight, no impression from 2f out, soon one pace in 5th
led, pressed 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on well, dropped to 3rd near line
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, soon challenged, dropped to 4th inside final furlong, kept on same pace
Al Kazeem won this in 2013 and continued in good form throughout the last campaign and on his reappearance where he landed a Group 2 at Longchamp. He'll be more at home on testing ground so if the rain arrives he'll be tough to beat. However, he was almost 7l behind THE GREY GATSBY when Kevin Ryan's charge landed the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and though the latter was beaten in the Dubai Turf at Meydan he's expected to get back to winning ways. Postponed will have needed his run at Sandown last month and the Great Volitigeur winner should prove himself a very smart performer this season while Fascinating Rock and Parish Hall, who fought out the finish of a Group 3 here earlier this month, are genuine performers at that level though the former would enjoy more cut in the ground.
Al Kazeem 7-4fav (9-2) 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Grp 1 sft.
Fascinating Rock (IRE) 2-5fav (9-3) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead under 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) hvy beating Parish Hall (9-6) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Highly Toxic (IRE) 1-2fav (9-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 2f out, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn stks sft beating Tetraites (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Parish Hall (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Held up in touch in last, ridden and went 2nd 1 1/2f out, pressed winner briefly 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Fascinating Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) hvy.
Postponed (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Led, hard pressed from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, kept on well close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Western Hymn (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
The Grey Gatsby (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Solow (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 1 gd in Mar.
