led early, soon tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd halfway, pushed along and headway to lead narrowly 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on best final 100 yards
missed break, soon ran 4th, 5th under 4f out, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, progress to 3rd final 100 yards, not trouble principals
prominent, soon led, under pressure and headed 1 1/2f out, kept on, not match winner final 100 yards
raced 3rd, progress to 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, dropped to 4th final 100 yards
towards rear, 5th halfway, 4th under 4f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression, kept on one pace final furlong
held up in rear, 6th halfway, under pressure 2f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong, never a factor
Aidan O'Brien has three entries and the presence of Ryan Moore on board MENDELSSOHN suggests he's the stable pick, which is hardly surprising given his victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar. This is a warm-up for the 2,000 Guineas and he should pass the test. He'd earlier finished a long way behind stable companion Seahenge in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster but was nowhere near his best and should take his revenge. Threeandfourpence looked a nice prospect when landing a Fairyhouse maiden and was by no means disgraced in the Dewhurst. Gavin Cromwell doesn't tilt at windmills so the very progressive Princess Yaiza should give a good account with her experience of the track while Zihba was well supported when making a successful debut here and has an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry.
Mendelssohn (USA) 9-2fav (8-10) Stalked,bid 1/8,gamely, won at Del Mar 1m gd in Nov beating Untamed Domain (8-10) by 1l, 14 ran.
Seahenge (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, hung left most of way, held up towards rear, never involved, 8th of 12, 10l behind Saxon Warrior (9-1) at Doncaster 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Threeandfourpence (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Dwelt in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong until near finish, 4th of 9, 5 1/4l behind U S Navy Flag (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Blackgold Fairy (USA) 2-1 (9-0) Soon led, pushed out to assert 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Feb beating High Street Lady (9-0) by 6 1/2l, 14 ran.
Princess Yaiza (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Always prominent, travelling smoothly straight, soon challenged, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec beating War Hero (9-6) by 3l, 13 ran.
Ship Of Dreams (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute approaching straight and led 2f out, ridden 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Jan beating Port Lions (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Irish Minister (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Editorial (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Feb.
Zihba (IRE) 15-8 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, led last 50 yards and asserted close home, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Dec beating Port Lions (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
