tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression in 5th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, eased closing stages
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, some headway over 2f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on well closing stages
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra
rear of mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out and no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along to challenge over 2f out and soon led, ridden over 1f out and 2 lengths clear 100 yards out, reduced advantage close home
led, strongly pressed over 2f out and soon headed, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
mid-division, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression inside final furlong, no extra
rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, ridden and no extra 1 1/2f out
Sherkali landed a Navan maiden before headed right on the line by Basic Law at Gowran. That was only his third run and he has a first-time visor here. The form of Ferretti's fourth place over 6f at Naas was given a boost by the winner and he duly obliged when stepped up a furlong on a return visit. He should be even better suited by today's trip and will take some beating. Excelcius ended the last campaign with a victory at Dundalk and there should be more to come while KARASI, a winner at Dundalk in November, made a very promising comeback at Naas. Michael Halford's colt looks the type to go on to better things and gets the nod though Joseph O'Brien has the three at the bottom of the weights, all who have chances, though Donnacha's presence on Cork winner Isotope suggests he could be the stable pick.
Sherkali (IRE) 2-1jfav (9-4) Soon raced in 4th, 3rd approaching straight, pushed along over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon on terms, kept on well, headed near line, 2nd of 5, hd behind Basic Law (9-4) at Gowran Park 1m Yielding in May.
Ferretti (USA) 10-3 (9-0) Tracked clear leader, took closer order in 3rd over 2f out, closed 1f out, ridden to lead final 150 yards, driven out, won at Naas 7f hcp gf in May beating Giga White (9-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Copia Verborum (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden over 2f out, weakened, last of 15, 13 1/2l behind I Am Superman (9-3) at Naas 1m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Excelcius (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Led, joined after 2f, led again 3f out, ridden from 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, joined inside final furlong, stayed on well to regain lead narrowly near line, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Oct beating Vivacious Spirit (9-5) by ns, 14 ran.
Karasi (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Mid-division on outer, progress into 5th and ridden 2f out, no impression on winner in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind I Am Superman (9-3) at Naas 1m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Jupiter Road 9-4 (9-7) Led, joined after 1f and headed after 3f, ridden to challenge over 2f out, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Georgeville (9-7) at Roscommon 1m 2f gd in May.
Isotope (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight and ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, soon strongly pressed, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Cork 1m hcp gd in Apr beating Bodhicitta (9-8) by nk, 18 ran.
Vivax (IRE) 6-4 (9-5) Soon prominent, effort straight, challenged over 1f out, got on terms inside final furlong, dead-heated at line, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in May beating Aneczka (9-0), 9 ran.
