chased leaders, 6th over 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon chased leaders on outer, 6th over 2f out, soon no impression under pressure
chased leaders, 7th over 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon tracked leaders, closed from over 2f out, ridden to chase winner from over 1f out, stayed on well without getting there closing stages
soon tracked leaders, 5th over 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
dwelt, in rear, ran on well under pressure without threatening final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, wide straight, kept on same pace under pressure from 2f out
broke well and made all, asserted from over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong to hold on at the finish
chased leaders, 3rd over 2f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace under pressure
soon prominent, 2nd over 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
The three-year-old Lady Caprice won twice for Jane Chapple-Hyam on Polytrack in January and has her first start for new connections. The other youngster in the race, Exhortation, won a maiden over 6f here in May and makes his handicap debut though he has enough pace for the minimum trip. Both of Calm Bay's career victories have come over the C&D but a career strike-rate of 2-55 isn't appealing and he was behind Patrickswell at Down Royal last time. The latter, a multiple winner on Turf, has yet to strike in 20 all-weather starts so is overlooked in favour of JUDIES CHILD. Willie McCreery's filly hasn't had much racing but very nearly scored over the C&D in May before an even better run at Tipperary three weeks later and looks well enough handicapped for this. Pencil Hill is in very good form but a 9lb rise for his C&D success put paid to his chances at the Curragh and he's up another 3lb.
Pencil Hill (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division in centre, ridden to go 5th 1f out, kept on under pressure, no impression on fast-finishing winner final 50 yards, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Harry Trotter (8-4) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in May.
Exhortation 5-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, led over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, all out to hold on, won at Dundalk 6f mdn stks pol in May beating Multitasking (9-5) by ns, 13 ran.
Mountain Coral (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders towards rear, never a factor, checked over 1f out, last of 8, 7l behind Patrickswell (8-13) at Down Royal 5f hcp 50-80 sft in Jun.
Copper Dock (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 9th of 14, 14l behind My Girl Anna (9-6) at Navan 5f hcp gd in May.
Patrickswell (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Made all, ridden to assert 1f out, kept on under pressure, reduced advantage but held on well closing stages, won at Down Royal 5f hcp 50-80 sft in Jun beating Battleroftheboyne (9-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Almadaa 20-1 (8-4) Settled in rear, never a factor, 11th of 14, 10l behind Bold Thady Quill (8-7) at Naas 7f hcp gf in Jun.
Big Bad Lily (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division best, ridden into 7th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 14, 12l behind My Girl Anna (9-6) at Navan 5f hcp gd in May.
Calm Bay (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra from over 1f out, weakened, 5th of 8, 6l behind Patrickswell (8-13) at Down Royal 5f hcp 50-80 sft in Jun.
Judies Child (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Always prominent and soon led on far side, ridden and pressed over 1f out, kept on under pressure, no extra and headed inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Queen Grace (9-7) at Tipperary 5f hcp 47-70 gd in May.
Lady Caprice 12-1 (9-1) Pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 8l behind Redair (8-10) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
