chased leader, 3rd halfway, soon improved to 2nd, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, soon pushed along to lead, 2 lengths clear halfway, ridden under 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably
slowly into stride, raced in rear, 8th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no headway, never a factor
broke well to lead early, soon tracked leader in 2nd on outer, 3rd after halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, 4th halfway, reminder over 1f out, weakened final furlong, eased final 100 yards
slowly into stride, raced in rear, 7th halfway, soon niggled along, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
rear of mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden and edged right 1 1/2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, dropped to 5th closing stages
towards rear, 6th halfway, no impression 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well to 4th close home, never nearer
U S Navy Flag is going the right way since getting the blinkers fitted and his second in the Phoenix Stakes here last time is the standout piece of form. He is clearly the one to beat, but is likely to be priced accordingly and might be worth opposing as such. The decision to send Leopardstown maiden winner Landshark straight here is noted, while Betsey Trotter is a lurking improver too but SANKARI ROYALE could be the fly in the ointment. Johnny Murtagh's charge didn't get the clear run last time when runner-up in Listed Newbury contest over the minimum trip. He must improve again, but has the scope to do that and can have a big say here.
Landshark 4-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 4th halfway, switched right over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Leopardstown 6f mdn gf in Aug beating Sappho (9-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
U S Navy Flag (USA) 11-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sioux Nation (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Youareiffraaj (IRE) Iffraaj colt out of Katajan.
Ball Girl (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Prominent, soon 2nd, travelling smoothly straight, led over 2f out, soon asserted, ridden and reduced lead well inside final furlong, kept on close home, won at Roscommon 7f mdn fll sft in Aug beating Himmah (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Betsey Trotter (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and no impression on winner inside final furlong, switched right 100 yards out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Brick By Brick (9-5) at Curragh 5f mdn gf in Aug.
Gasta (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up disputing 5th, ridden in 6th over 2f out, weakened, last of 8, 12 1/4l behind Clemmie (9-0) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Golden Spell 10-3 (9-10) Prominent stand's side group, challenged and on terms over 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind My Silver Nails (8-4) at Curragh 6f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Sankari Royale (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Raced stands side, held up, headway over 1f out, led that group approaching final furlong, slightly hampered 100 yards out, kept on well, not pace of winner, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Eirene (9-0) at Newbury 5f lst fll stks (1) sft in Aug.
