broke well, tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along to challenge on inner 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra, eased inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace
ran 5th, pushed along on outer under 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and progress to challenge 1f out, under pressure and every chance inside final furlong, edged right close home, just failed
soon led, ridden and strongly pressed 1f out, under pressure and joined inside final furlong, kept on well to lead again close home
Aidan O'Brien is double-handed with INTELLIGENCE CROSS and War Secretary. The former looks the one to be with as he followed an impressive Group 3 victory at the Curragh with decent efforts at the highest level at Newmarket and Santa Anita and should have the measure of his lightly-raced stable companion, who had a very easy maiden success here in October. Ambassadorial is a different proposition as he beat the moderate Thomas O'Malley on his debut here in September then looked a very smart prospect on a return visit a month later when landing a Listed contest. Like the selection he's in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Curragh so is obviously well regarded. Holistic Approach won a Curragh maiden on his debut and his subsequent defeat in a Group 3 at Leopardstown should be ignored as he was coughing post-race. Hit The Bid landed a Curragh Group 3 before well beaten in the Flying Childers while Noivado will need to step-up on what he's shown so far.
Hit The Bid 25-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, weakened closing stages, last of 11, 6l behind Ardad (9-1) at Doncaster 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Intelligence Cross (USA) 7-1 (8-10) 3wd into str,no rally, 9th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Oscar Performance (8-10) at Santa Anita 1m gd in Nov.
Ambassadorial (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Settled mid-division, closer in 5th 2f out, ridden to progress 1 1/2f out, disputed 1f out, soon led, kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 7f lst stks (1) pol in Oct beating Executive Force (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Holistic Approach (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-3) Held up in rear on outer, took keen hold early, hung to outer 3f out and soon pushed along, last and no impression 2f out, soon eased, last of 7, dist behind Making Light (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Oct.
Noivado (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along to 4th under 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Trevanna (8-12) at Naas 7f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
War Secretary (USA) 11-4 (9-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead under 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Oct beating Homesman (9-5) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
