soon towards rear in 10th, pushed along 2f out, 8th 1f out, no impression when slightly impeded under 1f out, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along 2f out, 4th 1f out, one pace
soon tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to challenge from over 1f out where 2nd, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, pressed and stayed on well, all out
in rear, pushed along on outer 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
a little keen, soon raced in 6th, pushed along 2 1/2f out, no impression when squeezed for room 1f out, no extra
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, dropped to 6th 1f out, one pace
soon led, pushed along under 3f out, strongly pressed 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
a little keen, soon raced in 7th, not much room over 2f out, soon switched right, switched right again 1f out where 5th, flicked tail inside final furlong, stayed on well, just failed
a little keen, soon towards rear in 9th, went 7th 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, challenged closing stages, stayed on well without quite matching 1st 2
led, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra when squeezed for room near finish
a little keen, held up, soon 8th, pushed along 2f out, dropped to last and no impression from over 1f out, eased final furlong
Last year's winner Sparkle Factor was the first favourite to win in 13 years but three-year-olds have an excellent record. That winner reappeared after a long absence to finish runner-up to Duchess Andorra at Gowran and, though certain to be sharper, the winner did it nicely and can confirm the form. Byzantium made a good impression when landing a Naas maiden in October from today's rival Sharaasa, though the long absence is a cause for concern. Slipper Orchid was in action at Meydan over the winter and her two recent runs will have put her right for this though the concession of so much weight to Maontri and MISTY LANE may prove beyond her. The former completed a four-timer at Dundalk last winter and shot up the weights as a consequence but she's now on a realistic mark and looks a major threat to the selection, who has an excellent strike-rate and was having her first start since December when just failing to concede 9lb to Shabra Emperor at Dundalk.
Slipper Orchid (IRE) 11-4 (9-9) Settled 4th, pushed along over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, progress to 3rd over1f out, kept on well to 2nd under 1f out, not trouble winner, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Tamadhor (8-13) at Fairyhouse 7f stks gf.
Sparkle Factor (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, no extra in 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Duchess Andorra (8-6) at Gowran Park 7f fll hcp gd in Apr.
Colour Blue (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Disputed lead early, headed 4f out, regained lead 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, no extra and dropped to 6th close home, 6th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Hasanour (9-2) at Curragh 1m hcp in May.
Stroll Patrol 7-1 (9-0) Towards rear, 7th halfway, pushed along in 8th entering straight, ridden 1 1/2f out, no danger, eased under 1f out, last of 8, 20l behind Stormfly (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) in Apr.
Steip Amach (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, pushed along halfway, on terms from 2f out, headed over 1f out where 2nd, soon no impression in 3rd and kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Ainippe (8-12) at Curragh 6f flls Group 3 stks (1).
Duchess Andorra (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Led and disputed, headed after 1 1/2f, ridden to lead 2f out and strongly pressed, kept on well to assert final furlong, won at Gowran Park 7f fll hcp gd in Apr beating Sparkle Factor (9-9) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Maontri (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, stumbled under 2f out,headed entering straight, soon ridden, progress to lead under 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Sligo 7f fll hcp gd beating Perfect Fit (8-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Military Angel (USA) 14-1 (8-10) Towards rear, soon raced in 10th, pushed along over 2f out, switched right 1 1/2f out, 5th 1f out, switched right again inside final furlong, soon no impression in 4th and flicked tail, kept on, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Heaven's Guest (9-11) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gd.
Byzantium 9-10fav (9-0) Soon 6th, travelling well in 8th halfway, progress to 4th over 2f out, stayed on well over 1f out, 2nd under 50 yards out, led on line, won at Naas 6f 2yo fll mdn in Oct beating Sharaasa (9-0) by shd, 19 ran.
Misty Lane (IRE) 4-1fav (10-0) Disputed lead early, soon 3rd, led over 1f out, headed and kept on without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Shabra Emperor (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in May.
Sharaasa (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) 5th early, pushed along over 2f out, progress and not much room briefly inside final furlong, soon no impression, kept on into 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Ohh Lala (8-3) at Cork 6f 3yo hcp gd in Apr.
