tracked leader in 2nd, led over 3f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out and no impression under pressure
chased leaders, 4th halfway, driven along 5f out, no extra from 3f out, weakened
always towards rear, ridden over 2f out and no extra
tracked leaders, 5th on inner halfway, 4th 3f out, ridden and no impression in 5th 1f out, no extra
led early, soon settled back to track leaders in 3rd, 2nd and challenged over 2f out, soon ridden to lead, strongly pressed and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, stayed on best close home
settled in rear of mid-division on inner, headway into 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out and ridden to challenge, kept on under pressure, no impression on winner closing stages
rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression from 2f out, soon no extra and weakened
held up in rear, headway between horses to go 5th 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace without really threatening
prominent and soon led, stumbled and lost place over 3f out, soon weakened and eased from 2f out
Aidan O'Brien won this with a three-year-old in 2009 and THOMASGAINSBOROUGH can repeat the process. He steps up to this trip for the first time and should be suited as his dam won over the distance and is related to the classy Pilsudski. Royal Diamond will certainly have no problems staying as he won easily over 1m6f at Leopardstown in April and made a bold bid to defy a massive 12lb rise at the Curragh where he found Midnight Soprano just too good. Sadler's Mark's only victory in 18 starts came over 1m2f on this track and he's returned to form with a couple of good runs while Rattan ran a tremendous race over hurdles at Killarney last month, his first start since October.
Royal Diamond (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Led and clear after 3f, 6 lengths advantage and still travelling well entering straight, ridden 2f out and kept on under pressure, no extra well inside final furlong and headed on line, 2nd of 15, nk behind Midnight Soprano (9-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in May.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Towards rear, ridden and no impression straight, 11th of 14, 14l behind Zaralabad (8-12) at Killarney 1m 6f hcp gd in Aug.
Clare Glen (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on inner in 5th, ridden entering straight, went 3rd under 2f out but no impression on first 2, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Chrysanthemum (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
Buy Back Bob (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division on inside, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 12th of 33, 25l behind Never Can Tell (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Alhellal (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden to go 5th approaching straight, no impression in 4th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Louisville Lip (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 hvy.
Rattan (USA) 11-1 (11-0) Keen hold, soon chased leaders, 6th under 4f out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2f out, 12th of 20, 21l behind Fosters Cross (10-1) at Galway 2m am hcp 70-100 gd in Jul.
Sadler's Mark 5-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, smooth headway from early straight to go 3rd 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Pivot Bridge (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp hvy.
Thomasgainsborough (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Tracked leader, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 1l behind Croi An Or (9-12) at Killarney 1m 3yo hcp 60-90 gs in May.
Shamiran (IRE) 12-1 (7-11) Prominent, 2nd 6f out, ridden 4f out, challenged early straight, weakened from under 2f out, 11th of 23, 13l behind Bright Horizon (8-7) at Curragh 2m ext hcp in Sep '10.
Mutasareb (USA) 10-1 (8-10) In rear, no impression from 3f out, 10th of 11, 19l behind Strandfield Lady (8-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp sft.
Star Power (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased clear leaders, moderate 5th halfway, much closer 5f out, 4th entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, eased when beaten final furlong, 15th of 19, 27l behind Minsk (8-9) at Curragh 2m hcp sft in Oct.
