held up behind leaders, ridden in moderate 4th 2f out, soon no impression
led, clear travelling well 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and no extra close home
chased leader in 2nd, pushed along in 2nd 2f out, soon closed on leader, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, weakened
towards rear, ridden entering straight, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden entering straight, moderate 7th 2f out, no impression
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no impression on leaders
settled in rear, pushed along in last when checked and accidentally struck by rivals whip over 2f out, progress from 1 1/2f out, went moderate 5th 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, never nearer
Bronte gets first-time blinkers on the back of a maiden victory at Roscommon and Zalty makes more appeal after scoring at Leopardstown last time. The latter is closely matched on earlier running at Naas with Lightnin Hopkins but, given that pair are hard to separate, another chance goes to CAESARIA. He couldn't live with the progressive Line Drummer at Tipperary on his handicap debut but won't need to improve much on that to come out best in this company. Toccata Blue made the most of a weight concession when beating older horses at Down Royal and will find this tougher.
Zalty (FR) 5-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden in 7th 2f out, closer 1f out, ran on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 3yo hcp gf in Jun beating General Brook (9-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bronte 4-5fav (9-0) Always prominent, challenged and clear of remainder in 2nd from 2f out, soon on terms, led under 1f out, stayed on well, won at Roscommon 7f fll mdn stks gs in Jun beating Goddess Of Love (8-7) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Lightnin Hopkins (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Soon led and made most, joined briefly 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no extra and headed closing strides, 3rd of 10, shd behind Connacht Council (8-10) at Naas 7f 3yo hcp gf in Jun.
Caesaria (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Led and strongly pressed, ridden 2f out, headed under 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on to 2nd again inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Line Drummer (9-10) at Tipperary 7f 3yo hcp hvy in May.
Blue Bullet (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, last of 8, 7l behind Zalty (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo hcp gf in Jun.
Global Icon 9-4 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken when edged right and lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Homage (9-3) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Toccata Blue (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out and led 150 yards out, kept on under pressure, won at Down Royal 7f stks gd in Jun beating Great Soprano (9-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Quinine 8-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden in 12th 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind More Questions (9-7) at Navan 6f 3yo hcp 47-75 gf in Jun.
