held up in 5th, ridden and progress 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra
chased leaders, ridden in 4th 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden along 3f out, last 2f out, went moderate 4th on outer 1f out, ran on into 3rd close home
OVERLAND EXPRESS has been the subject of market interest on each of her three starts and while an ability to handle this surface has to be taken on trust; the Cork winner looks the type that could go on to better things. Ger Lyons has trained three of the last eight winners of this prize so Minister Of Mayhem is respected as he was second in a handicap at Leopardstown earlier in the month. Island In The Sun showed little in maidens but appeared to be transformed by the application of headgear and the switch to handicapping. That said, she was bitterly disappointing when favourite for a handicap at Killarney last time out. Tempo Mac ran too freely in his first attempt over the trip and should be capable of better once learning to settle.
Minister Of Mayhem 5-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th on inner 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to strongly press winner to line, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Great Explorer (10-2) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo hcp gf.
Overland Express (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led, headed after 1f, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 2nd over 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Cork 1m 1f mdn stks sft in Jun beating Lake District (9-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Land A Blow (FR) 9-1 (8-9) Dwelt and in rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and no impression under 3f out, kept on one pace, last of 5, 13l behind Abu Nayef (8-13) at Killarney 1m 3f 3yo hcp gf.
Tempo Mac (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Soon led, headed from 2f out, dropped to 3rd and no extra from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 12l behind Durand (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut gf in Jun.
Island In The Sun (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, 8th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 8l behind Dark Crusader (9-8) at Killarney 1m 3f 3yo hcp gf.
Palace Art (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 14, 14l behind Luna Forest (8-11) at Bellewstown 1m 3yo mdn aut gf.
