chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd halfway, no impression on leading pair from well over 1f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, 4th from halfway, pushed along 2f out and soon no impression on leading pair, kept on one pace
always prominent, disputed lead from before halfway, ridden over 1f out, edged right under pressure inside final furlong, led and kept on best final 100 yards
always prominent, disputed lead from before halfway, driven along from well over 1f out, kept on well under pressure and carried slightly right inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 100 yards
led early, ridden along and dropped to rear before halfway, no extra from 2f out, weakened
Aidan O'Brien has won an astonishing eight of the last ten renewals though Samuel Morse was beaten last year by Formosina. Naas winner Choir, and Vault, successful over the C&D earlier this month, are the Ballydoyle representatives but both will do well to hold UK raider LILBOURNE LAD. Richard Hannon sent him to Naas last time for a Listed contest and he produced a spectacular performance to score by six lengths, form that looks good enough for this. French Emperor was left toiling and has little chance of reversing the form but Tough As Nails takes a step up in trip after being touched off in a Listed contest over 5f here and any further ease in the ground will be in his favour.
Choir (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Disputed lead, led narrowly 2f out, asserted from over 1f out, pushed out and kept on well, reduced advantage closing stages but never under threat, won at Naas 6f 2yo stks gf in May beating Naseem Sea (8-12) by nk, 5 ran.
French Emperor (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders mainly 3rd, ridden 2f out, no impression on easy winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Lilbourne Lad (9-0) at Naas 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf.
Lilbourne Lad (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Made all, asserted over 1f out, pushed out and stretched clear final furlong, impressive, won at Naas 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf beating Snowflake Dancer (9-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
Tough As Nails (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Prominent, improved to narrow lead 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed from over 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 8, shd behind Power (9-1) at Curragh 5f Listed stks 2yo (1) gf in May.
Vault (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead over 2f out, soon disputed, ridden in narrow lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn gf beating Dragon Pulse (9-0) by hd, 11 ran.
