broke well, tracked leaders and 5th halfway, headway on outer to go 2nd briefly 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, dropped to 4th inside final furlong and kept on one pace
settled in mid-division and 7th halfway, switched right and headway into 4th 2f out, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner
tracked leaders on inner in 3rd, pushed along 3f out and no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong to take 3rd
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 5th over 2f out, moderate 6th 1f out and no extra
tracked leaders on outer and 4th halfway, driven along 3f out and soon no extra
towards rear, ridden over 3f out and no impression in 9th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
soon led and made virtually all, still travelling well 2f out and soon asserted, pushed out and kept on well inside final furlong
always towards rear, in touch on inner over 2f out, soon no impression and eased when beaten over 1f out
rear of mid-division and 8th halfway, ridden 3f out and 6th 2f out, no impression in moderate 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden over 3f out and no impression in 9th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
Balrath Hope won this last year as a three-year-old and it's that age group who have easily the best recent record. Just two are engaged this time - Opera Gloves, who finished runner-up to today's rival Valbucca at Navan with subsequent winner Dane Street in third, and SALHOODA who is handed the vote. Dermot Weld's filly beat the useful Hanky Panky on heavy ground at the Curragh last season and reappeared to make all when long odds-on at Ballinrobe last month. She's still in the Oaks next month and can enhance her prospects. Valbucca was completing a hat-trick in that Navan event but couldn't handle a 9lb rise at the Curragh subsequently. Fionnuar is progressing really well and even a massive 12lb rise for her very easy Leopardstown success shouldn't prevent a big run.
Dane Street (USA) 6-1 (9-6) Soon tracked leaders, in pursuit of clear leader in 2nd from 2f out, closed and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp beating Long Journey Home (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Valbucca (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Waited with, 7th 2f out, no impression under pressure from over 1f out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 9, 6l behind Majenta (8-8) at Curragh 1m 4f fll hcp 60-90 gf.
Salhooda (IRE) 3-10fav (9-1) Made all, ridden from 1 1/2f out, pressed by runner-up under 1f out, stayed on well under pressure close home, won at Ballinrobe 1m 1f fll stks sft in May beating Kiss Goodnight (8-8) by 2l, 5 ran.
Balrath Hope (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Waited with towards rear, last 2f out, soon no impression, 8th of 9, 13l behind Majenta (8-8) at Curragh 1m 4f fll hcp 60-90 gf.
Jazz Girl (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, no impression under pressure straight, lost place and no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 13, 9l behind Dane Street (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp.
Strandfield Lady (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Soon mid-division, struggling from before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 11th of 13, 11l behind Dane Street (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp.
Fionnuar (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leader in 2nd and pair stretched clear from halfway, headway to lead 1 1/2f out and drew clear early final furlong, stayed on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf beating Little Arrows (8-11) by 5l, 10 ran.
Opera Gloves (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Mid-division, headway into 5th 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, soon disputed, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace, just prevailed for 2nd, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Valbucca (8-11) at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp 60-90 in May.
Cnocan Diva (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 13, 10l behind Lily's Angel (9-0) at Dundalk 1m flls lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Headford Lady (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 13l behind Auden (9-4) at Sligo 1m 2f clm stks sft.
