chased leaders in 3rd, 3rd on inner 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders in 4th, ridden 2f out, headway to lead 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, reduced advantage close home
chased leaders in 5th, on inner when switched right under 2f out, soon ridden, 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden from 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in 6th, ridden on outer 2f out, 6th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, went 2nd close home and pressed winner to line
pushed along early and led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, never a factor
held up in rear, ridden in 7th 2f out, soon no impression, never a factor
Balmont Mast won this in 2012 and remains in good form having won a handicap here in August. Russian Soul was beaten two lengths that day though there's very little between the pair and Master Speaker on several form lines but My Good Brother was well beaten and looks held. Togoville is another whose form ties in and he arrives in top form having made all to score over the minimum trip early last month. Aidan O'Brien had four entries at the original stage and relies on Eisenhower, who hasn't been seen since beating subsequent three-times winner Ostatnia in a maiden at Cork in April. SHEPHERD'S PURSE has been racing exclusively in Group and Listed company since making a successful debut at the Curragh in August of last year. The drop in class can see him back in the winner's enclosure though Stroll Patrol won a premier handicap at the Curragh and has continued to give a good account in stronger company. Surprisingly Jamesie, who has an all-weather victory at Meydan to his credit, has never won here though he's been narrowly beaten on several occasions.
Balmont Mast (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Soon mid-division, 11th from halfway, one pace from over 1f out, 15th of 22, 15 1/4l behind George Bowen (8-13) at Curragh 6f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Jamesie (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Towards rear, 14th from halfway, headway to chase leaders from over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, finished 7th, promoted to 6th, 7th of 22, 7l behind George Bowen (8-13) at Curragh 6f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Russian Soul (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Settled behind leaders, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 13th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Tylery Wonder (8-12) at Curragh 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Togoville (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Made all, ridden and drifted right over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Sep beating Kasbah (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Eisenhower (USA) 6-4fav (9-5) Soon disputed lead, marginally headed and pushed along from 1 1/2f out, led again from over 100yds out, kept on well, won at Cork 5f mdn gd in Apr beating Ostatnia (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
My Good Brother (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Strait Of Zanzibar (9-4) at Dundalk 7f pol in Sep.
Shepherd's Purse 25-1 (9-2) Took keen hold and held up in towards rear, ridden in 8th from over 2f out and no impression from over 1f out, last of 9, 15 1/4l behind Home Of The Brave (9-2) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
Stroll Patrol 16-1 (9-0) Broke well, settled back towards rear, 8th halfway, progress to go 4th halfway, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Moviesta (9-6) at Curragh 6f stks (1) gf in Aug.
