tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along in 5th halfway, progress straight and ridden in 3rd 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden on outer 2f out and no extra in 5th 1f out, weakened
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out and no extra over 1f out, weakened
After a bright start, China Eyes hasn't made progress and was well beaten in a Curragh nursery last time. Nice And Dandy had a couple of better fancied rivals behind when second of four behind the odds-on Washington DC at Tipperary and didn't last out 7f at Down Royal last time. BIRDCAGE, a winner here in May, hasn't been beaten far in her two latest starts including a very strong Navan nursery three weeks ago and can get back on the winning trail. Jessica Harrington won this a year ago and Love Is All Around had little chance in a lucrative sales race at the Curragh last time after showing early promise. Grant Of Approval was eight lengths behind Birdcage here in May but is much better off despite being 13lb out of the handicap. However, he's run so poorly in two subsequent starts that he can hardly be fancied to reverse the form.
Birdcage 6-1 (9-2) Dwelt, towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along and no impression from 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Shrill (9-4) at Navan 5f hcp gf in Sep.
Nice And Dandy (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and close up on outer 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Flirt (9-8) at Down Royal 7f hcp gd in Sep.
China Eyes (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride and held up in last, trailing halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 10l behind Dr Doro (9-1) at Curragh 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Love Is All Around (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Held up, 19th from halfway, no extra 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 25th of 30, 20 1/4l behind Glass House (8-10) at Curragh 6f stks Yielding in Sep.
Grant Of Approval (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden over 2f out and soon weakened, 5th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Lady Allegra (9-0) at Navan 5f mdn gf in Jul.
Heart Of A Star (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, progress to lead after 2f, pushed along approaching straight and soon headed, no extra 2f out, weakened, last of 10, 37l behind French Blue (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Aug.