always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway into moderate 8th 4f out, ridden in 7th and no impression over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened over 4f out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, not reach winner
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 5th 3f out, no extra in 6th 2f out, kept on same pace
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden in moderate 7th and no impression 4f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression over 4f out
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 4f out, 5th 2f out, kept on same pace into 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong
soon close up and disputed, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out
soon led and disputed, ridden and headed 3f out, under pressure in 2nd 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
This invariably goes to one of the first two in the betting as it has for the past 11 years but this time there's an unusual element in the presence of Japan-trained Pop Rock. A veteran of top grade races in his native country, his head second to Admire Moon in the Japan Cup in 2007 is by far the best form on view though what he's doing in this is anyone's guess. Salute Him is a very good stayer who did well to score over a trip too short at Bellewstown while the ex-French Pointilliste will be better for a recent run behind Profound Beauty at Leopardstown though soft ground looks a must for him. It was difficult to weigh up the performance of MYRINE when stepped up to this trip at Ballinrobe as she had little to beat. However, any victory by a distance on the flat has to be taken very seriously and this daughter of Sadler's Wells, who is a half-sister to Arc winner Sagamix, looks a very bright prospect.
Elusive Ridge (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Led early, tracked leader, led again from under 2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn stks gf in May beating Odin's Raven (9-4) by 7l, 14 ran.
Salute Him (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway in 7th 3f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Bellewstown 1m 5f am stks (4yo+) gf beating End Of The Affair (10-9) by hd, 10 ran.
Ajloun (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Always behind, ridden and no impression entering straight, last of 6, 20l behind Dawn To Dance (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 2f mdn stks gf.
Bremen 14-1 (9-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, no extra approaching straight, 9th of 14, 22l behind Bashkirov (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f 3yo stks pol in Nov.
Caesar's Song (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Well off pace towards rear, progress into 6th approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on, 4th of 17, 9l behind Endless Intrigue (11-12) at Galway 1m 4f am mdn stks gd.
Eagle's Pass (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, progress into moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on, 5th of 20, 10l behind Admiral Barry (10-1) at Galway 2m Amateur Handicap (70-100) (4yo+).
Lend A Hand Son (IRE) 5-2fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 5f out, ridden in 4th 3f out, 3rd 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Fantasy King (10-7) at Leopardstown 1m 6f mdn stks gf in Jun.
Massyoun (FR) 10-1 (9-4) Took keen hold and chased leaders on outer, 3rd 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 10, 16l behind Hildor (9-2) at Killarney 1m 3f mdn stks sft.
Mojito Royale (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight, 12th of 13, 15l behind Royal Astronomer (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcap gf in Jun.
Pop Rock (JPN) (9-0) 11th of 15, 7l behind Forgettable (9-0) at Tokyo(JPN) 2m 1f Group 3 hcp fm in Feb.
End Of The Affair (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 6th halfway, headway to 3rd under 4f out, ridden into 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 10, hd behind Salute Him (11-0) at Bellewstown 1m 5f am stks (4yo+) gf.
Acclaimed (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Always behind, eased final furlong, tailed off, 21st of 22, 50l behind Big Robert (8-0) at Curragh 1m hcp 0-105 sft in Mar.
Pointilliste (USA) 8-1 (9-9) Moderate 3rd, closer in 4th approaching straight, no extra from 2f out, 5th of 7, 9l behind Profound Beauty (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd.
Myrine (IRE) Evensfav (9-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 4f out, improved to lead over 2f out, soon ridden clear, very easily, won at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks beating Luigina Immacolata (9-2) by dis, 8 ran.
