chased leaders on stands side rail, 4th halfway, soon driven along, no impression and kept on one pace from well over 1f out
chased leaders on outer, 5th halfway, no threat from 1 1/2f out
held up in rear, went 4th 2f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace to go 2nd inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd and no impression on winner from well over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, strongly pressed and headed over 2f out, soon no extra, weakened
always prominent, led over 2f out, asserted over 1f out, stayed on strongly to draw clear final furlong, easily
There have been some shocks in this with just one winning favourite in seven renewals. An Ghalanta took an age to lose her maiden tag before scoring at Tipperary then beat Boris Grigoriev narrowly in a Listed race here with Experience back in fifth. She had a bit up her sleeve that day and can confirm placings with Aidan O'Brien's colt but LIGHTENING PEARL looks the one to be on. Ger Lyons' filly couldn't cope with Maybe in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes over 7f here three weeks ago but that was still an excellent run and the shorter trip will be in her favour.
Boris Grigoriev (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders on stands' side rail, 3rd halfway, 4th over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong and kept on well closing stages, 2nd of 8, hd behind An Ghalanta (8-12) at Curragh 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd.
Captain Obvious (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Always prominent, disputed lead, pushed along 2f out, headway to lead 1f out and kept on well, won at Naas 6f 2yo mdn gf in Jul beating Qatar's Pearl (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Experience (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd and challenged over 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 2l behind An Ghalanta (8-12) at Curragh 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd.
An Ghalanta (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Always prominent, led 2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, held on close home, won at Curragh 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd beating Boris Grigoriev (9-1) by hd, 8 ran.
Lady Pastrana (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge early straight, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 3l behind Strait Of Zanzibar (9-1) at Tipperary 7f 2yo lst stk gf.
Lightening Pearl (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on far rail in 3rd, ridden in 2nd 2f out and soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Maybe (9-0) at Curragh 7f 2yo fll Grp 2 gd.
Aaraas 8-1 (9-0) In rear, driven along halfway, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 4th of 6, 2l behind Experience (9-0) at Curragh 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gs in Jun.
