chased leaders, went 2nd and pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
mid-division, 6th 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders on outer, ridden entering straight, soon weakened
dwelt, held up in rear, last 3f out, ridden and progress on inner from 2f out, went 6th 1f out, kept on without threatening
chased leaders, 5th 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
dwelt, towards rear, short of room 2f out, soon ridden, went 8th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, 5th 2f out, weakened
towards rear, 9th 3f out, ridden in 6th 2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra
led and pulled hard early, ridden and strongly pressed from 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra and dropped to 3rd close home
mid-division on inner, 7th 3f out, ridden and went 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on to go 2nd close home
Strait Of Zanzibar won this in 2013 and has finished runner-up in the last two renewals. He beat today's rival Jamesie, just back from Meydan where he was placed in all three starts, the year he won it and may do so again on these terms. But it could pay to stick with NORTHERN SURPRISE in his current form as the latter went close to landing a four-timer at the track when third here last time and has already beaten Poetic Choice on a couple of occasions. The latter has since won over a mile here but found Great Wide Open too good over track and trip a fortnight ago. Grey Danube and Hes Our Music are others with claims.
Jamesie (IRE) (8-8) 3rd of 0, 1 3/4l behind American Hope (8-10) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Mar.
Hes Our Music (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Always rear, never a factor, pushed along and detached 4f out, no extra, eased in straight, completely tailed off, last of 14, dist behind Heartbreak City (9-0) at Cork 1m 2f hcp hvy in Mar.
Grey Danube (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace, headed inside final 100 yards, no extra, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Russian Soul (9-7) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Feb.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, 13th halfway, pushed along over 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 14th of 22, 21 1/2l behind Sruthan (9-6) at Curragh 1m hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Elusive Time (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, 5th 1f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Bishan Bedi (9-7) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Northern Surprise (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden and closer in 2nd under 2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 1/4l behind Hat Alnasar (9-5) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 9-1 (9-9) Led, ridden and pressed from 2f out, kept on well under pressure, disputed close home, just prevailed at line, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Mar beating Aared (9-2) by ns, 8 ran.
Poetic Choice 15-2 (9-11) Slowly into stride, chased leaders on outer, ridden on outer 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Great Wide Open (9-5) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.
Great Wide Open (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Made all, ridden 2f out, pressed under 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar beating Mr Right (8-13) by 1l, 8 ran.
Mzuri (IRE) 9-4 (9-1) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, almost on terms entering straight, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 1f out, headed under 100 yards out, kept on, not match winner close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Gussy Goose (9-13) at Fairyhouse 7f hcp gf in Jul.
