chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
soon led, ridden and joined from under 2f out, strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, headed briefly under 1f out, rallied to regain lead close home
held up in last, ridden and progress early straight, 2nd 2f out, disputed lead 1 1/2f out, led briefly under 1f out, headed and no extra close home
held up, ridden in 5th on outer straight, 4th 1f out, kept on
prominent, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
led early, headed after 2f, ridden and weakened from 3f out
Banksters Bonus will need to step up on his two-year-old form to get involved but the remainder all have a chance of sorts. Adilapour and Mawaakef disappointed when stepped up in trip at Leopardstown last time behind the filly Banimpire, who runs in the previous race on today's card, but they can't be written off on the evidence of one run. Defining Year beat Adilapour over 7f at the Curragh before finding one too good in a Listed race at the same track last time. He's not certain to stay today's trip but High Ruler is and his fourth in the Futurity at the Curragh last August is the best piece of form on offer. However, A WORD APART progressed well last year until a below par effort in the National Stakes and the half-brother to top-class middle-distance performer Casual Conquest could prove a cut above these with his stamina put to the test for the first time.
A Word Apart (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, weakened over 2f out, eased from 1 1/2f out, last of 9, 27l behind Pathfork (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Adilapour (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear over 2f out, 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 5l behind Banimpire (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Banksters Bonus (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Tiz The Shot (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 1f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Oct.
Defining Year (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Broke well and settled in 3rd, pushed along to go 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Sing Softly (8-12) at Curragh 7f 3yo lst stk (1) sft in Apr.
High Ruler (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 4th under pressure 3f out, soon no extra, 6th of 9, 14l behind Pathfork (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Mawaakef (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 19l behind Banimpire (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
