raced last of the 4, struggling to get there from 2f out, ran on in 3rd without threatening 1st 2 inside final furlong
soon raced in moderate 3rd, niggled along to close approaching 2f out, soon challenged and gained narrow lead 1 1/2f out, soon pressed, stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leader, closed 2f out, challenged under pressure and almost on terms from 1 1/2f out, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
led, went on after 3f, reduced lead 2f out, headed and no extra from 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace
A shocking turnout for a race with a superb recent history. Aidan O'Brien has won it in recent years with the likes of Giant's Causeway, Hawk Wing and Oratorio and has three of the five entries this time. Jockey bookings suggest that NEVIS is the one to be on and though he will need to improve massively from his Leopardstown maiden success there's every probability he will do so. The son of Dansili out of the Irish Oaks winner Moonstone is entered in every major race from now until the season's close and has the potential to be top-class. Flying The Flag beat the useful Einstein's Folly at Leopardstown and will have benefited enormously for the experience while Kingston Jamaica was only headed in the closing stages in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. First Cornerstone was the shock winner of a Listed contest at Tipperary and could be anything but the biggest threat is likely to come from Birdman, whose head defeat by Olympic Glory in Newmarket's Group 2 Superlative Stakes on heavy ground is the stand-out form on view.
Birdman (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up in last pair, headway on inside 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Olympic Glory (9-3) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd.
First Cornerstone (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge under 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Tipperary 7f 2yo lst stk (1) hvy beating Orgilgo Bay (9-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Flying The Flag (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight and soon no impression on leader, ran green, kept on inside final furlong to lead 50 yards out, on top at line, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo stk gs in Jul beating Einsteins Folly (9-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Kingston Jamaica (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, challenged under 1f out, narrowly headed final 100 yards, kept on, no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Grafelli (9-6) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Nevis (IRE) 4-6fav (9-5) Soon led and made virtually all, asserted over 1f out and kept on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 2yo mdn sft in Jul beating Ralston Road (9-5) by 3l, 10 ran.
