held up in touch, 6th approaching straight, soon pushed along and effort, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong
prominent, 2nd approaching straight, on terms under 2f out, soon gained narrow lead, joined over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on without matching 1st 2
dwelt, tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight where raced on outer, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong
held up, soon towards rear, 7th approaching straight, progress to challenge and got on terms over 1f out, kept on well, headed near finish
slightly awkward leaving stalls, took keen hold, tracked leaders, 5th approaching straight, no extra and one pace final furlong
took keen hold and led, joined under 2f out, soon narrowly headed, stayed on well to regain lead near finish
prominent, 3rd approaching straight, ridden and switched left 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch towards rear, pushed along at stages, kept on without threatening final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, effort straight, no extra and one pace final furlong
Highly Approved has a first start for the Duffy team after being claimed out of the Joseph O'Brien yard after the completion of a course hat-trick in runaway fashion. He should be involved again but has been raised a total of 19lb for those successes and may prove more effective over a seventh furlong. Gottardo had IT'S ALL A JOKE behind when the pair came home first and third here recently but the Lyons charge is taken to reverse placings on the revised terms and over an additional furlong. He's fully proven over 6f whereas the topweight has shown all his form over the minimum trip. Verhoyen was behind the pair here last time and it's hard to see him turning things round now, whilst Ar Saoirse has each-way claims despite the retention of maiden status.
Gottardo (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Chased leaders in 5th on inner, pushed along and progress 2f out, ridden and led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Apr beating Rapid Reaction (9-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Highly Approved (IRE) 8-15fav (8-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead 2f out, pushed out to assert over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong to go clear, easily, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Mar beating Shecanrally (8-7) by 10l, 8 ran.
Verhoyen 3-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, ridden in 7th 2f out, 6th 1f out, no extra, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Gottardo (10-4) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Apr.
It's All A Joke (IRE) 11-8fav (10-0) Held up in 6th, pushed along in 5th 2f out, ridden and improved to dispute 2nd 1f out, soon no extra, 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Gottardo (10-4) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Apr.
Ar Saoirse 11-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute 1 1/2f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Canford Art (9-0) at Dundalk 5f mdn pol in Dec.
Premier League (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Pushed along briefly early, soon led, raced on outer straight and headed over 2f out, soon no impression and no extra from over 1f out, 9th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Solar Wave (9-7) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp sft in Sep.
Very Smart (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Prominent on rail, soon chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Urban Beat (9-5) at Navan 5f mdn hvy in Apr.
That's My Girl (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Always behind, ridden entering straight, no impression, 7th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Gottardo (10-4) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Apr.
Rhythm Of Love (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, no extra early straight, weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Definite Doyenne (8-12) at Cork 1m hcp hvy in Mar.
