in touch in rear, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, kept on without threatening final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression straight
made all, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, kept on well under pressure close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, went 2nd 1f out, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
took keen hold and soon prominent, 3rd 4f out, soon ridden, weakened entering straight
Aidan O'Brien won this a year ago with Chicago and KINGDOM can complete the stable double. He's been tackling very testing conditions and almost made all over 1m5f at Tipperary last time so today's trip should prove ideal. Hisaabaat, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles twice last spring, has never reached those dizzy heights subsequently but has won on fast ground so shouldn't be dismissed though he's more likely to be warming up for Galway. Solo Performer has won 11 races in a long career though whether he'll be allowed to take his chance after his second to Redera over 2m at Dundalk on Friday is another matter. Bensoon has never won over this trip but is rarely far away though on a high enough mark.
Solo Performer (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Led, headed 6f out, regained lead 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, soon no extra, 5th of 6, 26l behind Knockcroghery (8-3) at Bellewstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gf.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 11-8fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Leroy Parker (8-3) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp hvy in Oct.
Kingdom (IRE) 9-4 (9-8) Attempted to make all, ridden 2f out, challenged 1f out, kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 5, hd behind Pay Day Kitten (9-2) at Tipperary 1m 4f 3yo hcp hvy in May.
Zafarqand (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly from 4f out, 6th of 7, 35l behind Ernest Hemingway (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Bensoon 4-1 (8-13) Dwelt, raced last of the 6, ridden into 4th and kept on without threatening from 1f out, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Edith Cowan (9-1) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gf.
Wrekin Rock (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Rear of mid-division on inner, 10th entering straight and some headway 2f out, 7th over 1f out and no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 10l behind Valbucca (9-7) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 50-80 gs in May.