held up in last, effort and ridden under 2f out, went 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th on outer 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to go 2nd close home, not reach winner
held up in 6th, pushed along and progress into 4th 2f out, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
held up in 5th, ridden under 3f out, 6th 2f out, no impression
chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th 2f out, closer 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon weakened
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd and no extra inside final furlong
Ernest Hemingway won this easily from Royal Diamond last year but hasn't been seen since finishing over four lengths behind Certerach in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in March. The latter has some mixed form but there's no doubt he's a very useful stayer who will be difficult to beat if ready after his break. PALE MIMOSA has had very little experience but her third place behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Leading Light at Navan was a superb effort. There are collateral lines of form through that good yardstick Royal Diamond that put her on a par with Ernest Hemingway and Certerach but she has more scope than either and can take this before going up in class. Tarana and El Salvador are very closely matched on their 1-2 at Limerick but both would need to step up to take on the principals.
Certerach (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Mar beating Cavalryman (9-0) by nk, 15 ran.
Ernest Hemingway (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) 8th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Certerach (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Chicago (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, 10th 3f out and ridden over 2f out, soon no impression and kept on inside final furlong to take 5th on line, 5th of 11, 5l behind Missunited (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd.
Dabadiyan (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) 6th of 15, 4l behind Certerach (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Mar.
El Salvador (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leader over 6f, tracked leaders, lost place and mid-division 10f out headway well over 2f out, soon ridden chasing leaders, 3rd when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 50 yards, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Pique Sous (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf.
Shu Lewis (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Raced mainly in 2nd, ridden along in 3rd under 4f out, 2nd again 2f out and kept on well final furlong without matching winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Missunited (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd.
Tarana (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Raced in 4th, ridden along 3f out, 3rd on outer over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Missunited (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd.
Ursa Major (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Held up, pushed along before straight, 7th 2f out, soon no impression, 8th and kept on same pace from 1f out, 6th of 9, 5l behind Indigo Lady (9-4) at Curragh 1m 2f Listed stks (1).
Pale Mimosa (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Chased leader in 2nd, closer 3f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Leading Light (9-8) at Navan 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.