held up in 5th, ridden in 4th 2f out, went 3rd and no impression on winner 1f out, kept on without threatening winner in 2nd close home
soon led and made virtually all, went clear travelling well 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily
held up in last, ridden entering straight, no impression from 2f out
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden along entering straight, 2nd 2f out, 2nd and no impression on winner 1f out, dropped to 3rd close home
chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, 3rd 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders in 4th, ridden entering straight, checked briefly under 2f out, soon no impression
Aidan O'Brien had three entered at the early stage and relies on Stone Mountain, who ran well in a Navan maiden in May and was sent into Listed company at the Curragh a few days later but finished last. Both runs were over the minimum trip and he's bred to race over middle-distances but should have enough pace to get involved. The consistent Gift Wrap is another stepping up markedly in trip though he's been staying on at the finish and should be suited. TRUE COMPANION had shown little in three maidens on Turf but it was a different matter here at the end of October when, in first-time blinkers, he gained a shock victory in a nursery. There was no fluke about the performance and, though 7lb higher, he can go in again. See You In Malta had only shown moderate form before being well supported over 6f here three weeks ago and finding only The Chazz too strong. He can improve again and looks better than Dashing Chief, who has been well beaten in all starts to date, and Bottleofsmoke, well beaten after a promising start at the Curragh.
Stone Mountain (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, never a factor, last of 10, 9 3/4l behind Round Two (9-3) at Curragh 5f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Gift Wrap (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, disputed 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Marsha (9-2) at Dundalk 5f pol in Oct.
Bottleofsmoke (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders on outer, pushed along in 7th halfway, no impression under 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Paytheprice (9-0) at Dundalk 5f mdn pol in Nov.
True Companion (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, mid-division early, soon improved to track leaders on outer, 4th 3f out, pushed along from 2f out and ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well close home, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct beating You Gotta Move (8-4) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Dashing Chief (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 10th of 12, at Gowran Park 7f gd in Aug.
See You In Malta (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace into 2nd closing stages of final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1l behind The Chazz (8-9) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
