held up, rear halfway, ridden 5f out, no extra and weakened, tailed off
held up, 6th halfway, no impression leaders 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace from before straight
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra in 3rd 2f out, 4th entering straight, kept on same pace
held up, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 4f out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway on inner in 4th 2f out, 2nd and challenged entering straight, led 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 3f out, no extra in 5th 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 2f out, no extra in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace
There have been just four runnings of this and Dermot Weld won the first three with John Oxx the latest. Weld is represented by Endearing, who like the vast majority of her trainer's Festival runners will improve dramatically for her opening run. Oxx can hold sway again, however, via the exciting prospect ASKERIA, a close relative of several high-class performers including the brilliant Azamour. She made a very promising start behind Snow Blizzard at Leopardstown and would be worth a fortune at the paddocks with a victory under her belt. Dance On By had no chance in the Oaks at the Curragh but keeps finding one or two too good and it would be a surprise if she could beat less exposed rivals here. At Present has been performing with credit in handicaps and should go well without finding that elusive finishing burst.
Angel Stevens (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Very slowly into stride, always behind, last of 10, 23l behind Parlour (9-0) at Galway 7f 3yo mdn gd in Jul.
Askeria (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In rear, 7th under 2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Snow Blizzard (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gf in Apr.
At Present (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Always prominent, 4th halfway, 3rd entering straight, soon ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Humor Me Rene (9-1) at Roscommon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 47-75 gf in Jul.
Countess Salome (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear in 6th, went 5th and no impression over 2f out, kept on without threatening into 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 14l behind Ice Empress (8-9) at Killarney 1m 3yo fll stks gf in Jul.
Dance On By (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 14th of 15, 48l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Endearing 8-1 (9-0) Soon settled mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Kaladena (9-0) at Navan 1m 5f 3yo mdn gf in May.
Flowers Of Spring (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway in 13th 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 20, 10l behind Vita Venturi (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Jul.
Galakina (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) In rear, late headway straight, 5th of 11, 6l behind Gipsy Countess (9-0) at Tipperary 1m 4f 3yo fll stks gd in Jul.
