soon tracked leader in 2nd, took closer order 5f out, progress to lead narrowly under 3f out, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed under 1f out, soon 3rd, kept on same pace
mid-division, 6th after halfway, lost place and under pressure over 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
in touch, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped to 5th 1f out, weakened under 1f out
prominent, 3rd halfway, challenged leader over 1f out, led and ridden under 1f out, kept on well, asserted final 100 yards, comfortably
rear of mid-division, niggled along in 8th over 5f out, dropped to rear and ridden over 3f out, detached over 2f out, no extra
ran freely towards rear, 7th after halfway, progress on outer over 4f out, ridden and weakened approaching straight, eased final 100 yards
soon led, 2 lengths clear halfway, reduced advantage 5f out, headed under 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, raced in rear, 9th over 5f out, good headway on outer under 2f out, ridden approaching straight, kept on final furlong, never nearer
rear of mid-division, 5th after halfway, progress 1f out, ridden in 2nd final 150 yards, kept on, no impression on winner in clear 2nd
ELIZABETHOFARAGON (NAP) is making giant strides and, despite racing from out of the handicap, got up close home to land the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal on Friday ahead of the in-form Wilderness. The first two pulled clear of their rivals inside the final furlong and it seems a wise decision to run the daughter of Galileo here under a penalty before the handicapper has his say. Yulong Pearlisland is still heading in the right direction and makes more appeal than other recent winners Celtic Crown and Lilli Milena but Dazzling Darren is probably in the assessor’s grip now. Simply True hasn’t shaped at all badly in his two runs this summer and it would be no surprise to see him make the frame with Varna Gold another possible.
Yulong Pearlisland (IRE) 10-3 (9-1) Soon raced in 2nd, pushed along before straight, soon challenged, on terms over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong and edged slightly right, kept on well to just prevail at the finish, won at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp hvy in Jul beating Dazzling Darren (8-7) by hd, 5 ran.
Simply True (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd and pushed along 2f out, 5th and ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Sonnyboyliston (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Celtic Crown (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Prominent, soon tracked leaders, short of room after 1f, 3rd halfway, went 2nd 2f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, kept on well to lead close home, won at Ballinrobe 1m 1f hcp gd in Jul beating Bestrella (10-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Flying Scotsman (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Soon towards rear, pushed along before straight, kept on same pace from 2f out, 13th of 15, 12 1/4l behind Confidence High (9-8) at Leopardstown 7f hcp gd in Jun.
Lilli Milena (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress entering straight, headway between horses to dispute 1f out, led final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Sligo 1m 2f mdn gd in Jul beating Kells (9-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Varna Gold (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Pushed along briefly early, soon towards rear, switched right to inner 2f out and pushed along and headway, kept on without matching front pair final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Springbank (9-12) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Dazzling Darren (IRE) 7-4fav (8-7) Soon led, pushed along straight, soon pressed, joined over 1f out, narrowly headed and slightly impeded inside final furlong, rallied, kept on well, just denied, 2nd of 5, hd behind Yulong Pearlisland (9-1) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp hvy in Jul.
Son Of Hypnos (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Uneasy in stalls, soon mid-division, pushed along over 2f out and no impression, 11th of 13, 18l behind Carrytheone (9-7) at Curragh 1m mdn Yielding in Jul.
Dark Voyager (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Led briefly early, chased leaders, 7th halfway, effort straight, no extra from over 1f out, 9th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Red Kelly (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Elizabethofaragon (IRE) 6-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3f out, stayed on into 2nd 2f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, led close home, won at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp fll Yielding in Jul beating Wilderness (8-13) by nk, 13 ran.
Alexei Vronsky (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 6th and ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra, 9th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Sonnyboyliston (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Jul.
