held up towards rear, ridden and no extra over 3f out, weakened and tailed off
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th over 2f out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on final furlong to 2nd close home
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway travelling well in 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, led last 150 yards, kept on well
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, challenged 1f out, headed final 150 yards, lost 2nd close home
Whatever Jacksays has won four of his last five over hurdles and scored easily on his debut under Flat rules at Leopardstown but meets much stronger opposition this time. Defining Year hasn't won since March of last year which is a poor return for a 103-rated performer. He's a genuine pattern race horse who takes a drop in grade and has to be on the short-list. Singe The Turf didn't make his debut until last August when he sluiced up over this trip at Leopardstown. He hasn't raced subsequently but the fact he's still in training suggests better is expected. Ernest Hemingway won by 10l on his debut at Dundalk in April but hasn't been seen since finishing tailed off in the Dante at York the following month so it's his stablemate DECLARATION OF WAR who looks the one to be on. Two easy victories in France at the backend of last year preceded a move to Ballydoyle and he made a more than adequate debut for the stable when fourth to Famous Name in a Group 3 here earlier this month. The progressive Diplomat looks best of the remainder in an intriguing contest.
Whatever Jacksays (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Soon led and made most, joined approaching straight, ridden to lead over 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, kept on best under pressure to draw clear inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks sft in Jun beating Dare To Doubt (11-2) by 7l, 13 ran.
Defining Year (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Chased leader, moderate 3rd 5f out, no extra into straight, completely tailed off, last of 6, well behind Chamonix (9-4) at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks (1) hvy.
Hot Prospect 9-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out until no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Poet (9-0) at Ayr 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Sep '11.
Singe The Turf (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd entering straight, ridden to soon challenge, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Aug '11 beating Jolie Jioconde (9-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Ebazan (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 24l behind One Cool Shabra (8-4) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp hvy.
Declaration Of War (USA) 5-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, 7th into straight, 5th 1f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 4l behind Famous Name (9-12) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 (1).
Diplomat (USA) 10-1 (8-10) Settled in mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, headway to go 3rd 1f out, ridden to lead inside final 100 yards and kept on well, won at Killarney 1m 3f hcp hvy in Aug beating Princeton Plains (9-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Jeremy's Girl (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Soon led, attempted to assert from 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed and no impression from 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 5l behind Maude Adams (8-13) at Roscommon 1m 2f fll hcp.
Ernest Hemingway (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, last of 7, 39l behind Bonfire (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
