soon raced 2nd, pushed along to lead narrowly 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd final 200 yards, kept on same pace
raced 5th, driven halfway, veered right 1 1/2f out, soon 3rd and ridden, stayed on well 1f out to 2nd inside final 200 yards, not trouble winner
broke well, soon held up 4th, progress to close 2nd 2f out, driven to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably
broke well to lead, headed and dropped to close 3rd 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
soon tracked leader in 3rd, pushed along and dropped to 4th 2f out, 5th 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong
Jim Bolger has won this three times in the past 10 years and SMASH WILLIAMS made such an impressive start over the course and distance last weekend that he will be very difficult to beat. Surprisingly, he has no other entries but looks a smart prospect as does Rockaway Valley, who has the best form in the book having finished runner-up in the Group 2 Railway Stakes here before finding Group 1 company too hot in the Phoenix Stakes. He had Juliette Fair over four lengths behind here in June but the latter made great strides when landing a Leopardstown maiden in very taking fashion. The remainder will all need to improve but look capable of doing so.
Al Qahwa (IRE) 4-6fav (9-4) Led, pressed under 2f out and soon pushed along, edged slightly right inside final furlong, kept on well, headed near line, 2nd of 6, nk behind Redstaroverchina (8-9) at Naas 6f gd in Aug.
Rockaway Valley (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leader in 2nd, led 2f out, soon ridden, joined 1 1/2f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Air Force Blue (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 1 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
Smash Williams (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders far side group, progress to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and soon drew clear, stayed on well inside final furlong, impressive, won at Curragh 6f mdn gf in Aug beating Indrahar (9-0) by 6 1/2l, 24 ran.
Juliette Fair (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Settled 4th, improved to 3rd under 3f out, switched right entering straight, pushed aong to lead over 1f out, asserted inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, readily, won at Leopardstown 6f mdn fll gf in Aug beating Gilded Reflection (9-0) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Shoellen (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Early reminder from stalls, tracked leader on outer, 2nd 3f out, ridden to challenge from 2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Only Mine (9-0) at Cork 6f mdn gd in Aug.
Dilly Daydream (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Edged slightly right leaving stalls, in rear, pushed along to go 4th from over 1f out, no impression when swished tail inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 5, 1 1/2l behind Aca Awesome (9-0) at Naas 6f mdn gf in Jun.
Redstaroverchina (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Held up, improved into 4th 1f out between horses, stayed on well inside final furlong, led near line, won at Naas 6f gd in Aug beating Al Qahwa (9-4) by nk, 6 ran.
