soon raced in 5th, keen hold early, 4th from 5f out, no impression in 3rd from over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt a bit, waited with in rear, ridden before straight, no impression in 7th over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, ridden before straight, challenged 2f out, led from 1 1/2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
dwelt a bit, soon raced in 3rd, keen hold, ridden before straight, dropped to 5th and no extra from over 1f out
attempted to make all, keen hold, raced a little away from rail, pressed 2f out, headed from 1 1/2f out, no impression inside final furlong and dropped to 3rd close home
waited with towards rear, ridden and headway before straight, 4th over 1f out, stayed on well to go 2nd close home, not getting to winner
soon chased leaders, dropped to last before straight, eased 2f out, tailed off
dwelt a bit, towards rear, pushed along 4f out, no extra in 6th from over 1f out
In it's short history, this has been won by some excellent performers, including Declaration Of War last year. Aidan O'Brien runs AFONSO DE SOUSA this time and he made such an impressive reappearance after a very long absence on this track a week ago that he's given the vote over Parish Hall. Jim Bolger's charge has to be the form pick despite not doing quite as a well as expected following last year's Dewhurst victory but the 5lb concession may just prove beyond him. Prince Alzain arrives from the UK and, as all three of his career victories have been on Polytrack, he's not here to make up the numbers. Levanto found heavy ground against him at Listowel and is better judged on his earlier victory in a tough handicap at the Curragh.
Captain Joy (IRE) 11-4fav (9-9) Always prominent, challenged and led 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Wannabe Better (8-12) at Killarney 1m Listed stks (1) gd in Aug.
Certerach (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression over 3f out, 8th of 10, 21l behind Voleuse De Coeurs (9-8) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Parish Hall (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, dropped to 4th 2f out, soon no impression, 4th of 6, 7l behind The Fugue (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Prince Alzain (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, hung right over 2f out, headway 2f out, disputing well held 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 10, 4l behind Prince Bishop (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) pol in Sep.
Afonso De Sousa (USA) 2-1 (9-1) 3rd early, 2nd before halfway, improved to lead entering straight, soon ridden clear, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo stks pol in Sep beating Dabadiyan (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Manalapan (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden entering straight, 4th 2f out, soon no impression, last of 7, 14l behind The United States (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Levanto (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Waited with 6th of the 7, no impression from before straight where raced on outer, went 4th and no danger final furlong, kept on, 4th of 7, 7l behind Eye of The Storm (9-1) at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks (1) hvy in Sep.
Opera Gloves (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Killarney 1m 3f stks gd in Aug beating St Jean (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
