missed break and held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, joined over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace
reared and slowly into stride, pushed along and soon held up towards rear on inner, pushed along in 5th 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, raced keenly, 3rd halfway, headway and edged right over 3f out, on terms over 2f out, pushed along and headed over 1f out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, lost 2nd close home
tracked leader, lost place briefly and pushed along in 4th 3f out, progress to challenge 1 1/2f out and led over 1f out, ridden and went clear inside final furlong, easily
chased leaders, a little keen, 4th halfway, slightly hampered and pushed wide over 3f out, 3rd 3f out, ridden and no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
Benavente landed a 7f conditions race last month from Devil's Outlaw, who runs earlier, and is definitely on the upgrade. Rocky Sky also got the verdict over the latter a month ago and is respected along with Inca Prince, who made a winning debut here in September but couldn't handle the transition to Group 3 company later. Joseph O'Brien won this last year and is triple-handed. Messidor justified strong support with a comfortable victory on the track before having plenty in hand when beating previous winner Halle Bopp over 7f. My Generation caught the eye when staying on over 7f on her debut but LOVELY ESTEEM could come out best after easily beating a subsequent winner in January. Donnacha runs Zozimus, who had been expensive to follow before a very easy victory here in November.
Benavente 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, switched right and pushed along on outer 2f out, headway to challenge and ridden 1f out, edged left and led when bumped rival 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Feb beating Devil's Outlaw (9-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Inca Prince (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Mid-division and took keen hold, headway to lead at halfway, joined 3f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, weakened, last of 7, 17 1/2l behind Poetic Flare (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Rebel Step (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Quick away to lead, headed inside 1st furlong, prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd over 3f out, pushed along before straight, no extra final furlong, 8th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Flying Visit (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Zozimus (IRE) 4-5fav (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, soon clear, stayed on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov beating Shackleton Hero (9-7) by 4l, 14 ran.
Messidor (IRE) 11-4 (9-4) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec beating Hale Bopp (9-9) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
My Generation (USA) 5-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden into 6th 1 1/2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Thrumps Dream (9-2) at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Feb.
Rocky Sky (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Prominent, 3rd approaching straight, soon effort, on terms over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Feb beating Devil's Outlaw (9-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lovely Esteem 2-5fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along under 2f out and led 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Jan beating Thrumps Dream (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
