raced in rear, pushed along and went 2nd 2f out, further progress to lead 1f out and kept on well close home
soon led, pushed along from 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
raced in 2nd, pushed along from 3f out, ridden and dropped to rear 2f out, no extra and eased from 1f out
Special Focus hasn't run since October though that's rarely a problem for one from her yard. The Roscommon winner should have more to offer this campaign though more rain would aid her cause. Spader and Roibeard represent Ger Lyons. The former beat the in-form Ceol Na Nog on heavy going at Navan in April but hasn't had those conditions in much tougher contests subsequently. Roibeard was a long way behind Ceol Na Nog when runner-up at Leopardstown and Colin Keane prefers his stable companion. First Class Ticket showed plenty of promise at Dundalk but looked a bit one-paced when stepped up to this trip at Down Royal. POWER STRUGGLE was a long way behind Spader at Navan but reversed the form in better conditions at Down Royal when fourth behind subsequent Irish Derby third Stellar Mass and a repeat would see him difficult to beat.
Roibeard (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in last, went 2nd on inner 3f out, soon ridden, no impression on winner 1 1/2f out, onepaced in moderate 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 3, 7 1/2l behind Ceol Na Nog (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m 2f sft in Jun.
Spader (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Soon led, pushed along 2f out, headed over 1f out where 4th, weakened, last of 9, 13 1/4l behind Stellar Mass (9-6) at Down Royal 1m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Special Focus (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden from 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Al Mohalhal (8-8) at Naas 6f gf in Oct.
Power Struggle (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Held up, a little keen, soon towards rear, pushed along and headway on outer over 2f out, soon slightly impeded, disputed 6th 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Stellar Mass (9-6) at Down Royal 1m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
First Class Ticket 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders early, soon 2nd, pushed along over 3f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Admodum (9-5) at Down Royal 1m 2f mdn gd in Jun.
