chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 4th entering straight, ridden into 2nd under 1f out, kept on one pace, no impression on winner
led, pushed along and pressed from 2f out, ridden entering straight, kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 5th 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out
prominent early, soon pushed along and dropped to rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, completely tailed off
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden in 3rd under 1f out, no impression, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leader, raced keenly, 2nd halfway, pushed along to challenge from 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, dropped to 4th inside final furlong, kept on one pace
Joseph O'Brien runs both Royal Blend, who showed up really well over 7f on heavy going behind a stablemate at Leopardstown, and SHEER CHANCE, who caught the eye when staying on over an extended 5f at Sligo. The latter is bred for this trip and may come out best of the pair and take this. Malaysian will be better for her run on very heavy ground at Gowran where she only weakened in the closing stages. Majestic Steps has improved with each run and could be suited by this easier ground while Dame Dandy continues to run well and should get into contention again. Valour looks best of the remainder though will need to raise her game.
Royal Blend 11-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, travelling well entering straight, pushed along to lead over 1f out, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed 100 yards out, kept on same pace, not match winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Earth Strike (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f mdn fll sft in Aug.
Dame Dandy (IRE) 9-2fav (8-11) Chased leaders in centre, ridden and no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 20, 4 3/4l behind Sweet Gardenia (9-3) at Naas 6f stks sft in Aug.
Majestic Steps (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along early straight, soon ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Angel Palm (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f mdn fll gd in Aug.
Cornice (IRE) 200-1 (9-2) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, 12th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Finest (9-2) at Limerick 7f mdn fll gd in Jul.
Kilakazam (IRE) Elzaam filly out of Kiralik.
Sheer Chance (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) A little slow into stride and pushed along briefly, towards rear, some headway on outer into straight, stayed on well without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Bell I Am (9-1) at Sligo 6f mdn fll gd in Aug.
Sioux Grit (IRE) Al Kazeem filly out of Midnite Ride.
Valour (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged on outer 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 7 1/2l behind San Martino (9-4) at Killarney 1m mdn hvy in Aug.
Star Act (IRE) 100-1 (9-2) Towards rear, under pressure halfway, weakened 1 1/2f out, never a factor, last of 12, 11 1/2l behind Sloane Peterson (9-2) at Cork 5f mdn gd in Aug.
Malaysian (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along to challenge from 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Shale (9-2) at Gowran Park 1m mdn fll sft in Jul.
