chased leader in close 2nd, led briefly 7th, ridden 3 out, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace
led, slight mistake and headed briefly 7th, asserted before 2 out, ridden briefly before last, eased home run-in
held up in 5th, mistake 5th, ridden into moderate 4th and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace from last
settled behind leaders, mainly 4th, 3rd before 3 out, ridden into 2nd and no impression on leader before 2 out, mistake last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, mainly 3rd, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no extra
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out, soon no impression
RISE OF AN EMPIRE hadn't shown much before coming here a fortnight ago and running away with a maiden over this trip. He's clearly on the upgrade and, though facing stronger opposition, can go in again. Faraway Mountain didn't run badly that day but was beaten almost 10 lengths and it's difficult so see him getting much closer. Dontbackme had been threatening to win for some time before getting off the mark at Kilbeggan. This step up in trip will suit and it will be a surprise if he's not thereabouts. John Monash was sent to Perth to lose his maiden tag and he duly obliged, though that was over the minimum trip.
Dontbackme (IRE) 7-1 (12-3) 13th of 25, 20 1/2l behind Pires (12-0) at Punchestown 1m 7f Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Rise Of An Empire (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 2nd, improved to lead before 3 out, pushed along and went clear before last where not fluent, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 5f mdn gd in May beating Sarah Joyce (10-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
Faraway Mountain (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Towards rear, 7th after 5 out, not fluent next, 5th after 3 out and good progress into 2nd before next, soon ridden and no impression, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 10 1/2l behind Rise Of An Empire (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 5f mdn gd in May.
John Monash 11-8fav (11-0) Jumped left, led until after 1st, prominent, not fluent 5th, led before 2 out, not fluent last, pressed flat, driven out, won at Perth 2m mdn (4) gf in May beating Macalla (10-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Native Lass (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Unseated rider start, at Killarney 2m 1f mdn gd in May.
Smoking Big Cigars 8-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear early, mid-division before halfway, progress 4 out, 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression when mistake and slightly hampered 2 out, soon no extra, 13th of 19, 37 3/4l behind Scoir Mear (11-11) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
