soon tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th over 2f out, ridden 2f out, no impression, kept on same pace in 3rd 1f out
slowly into stride, soon raced 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway to lead over 2f out, ridden under 2f out, soon headed, kept on same pace 1f out
held up in rear, 4th halfway, headway to 2nd 2f out, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, asserted under 1f out, kept on well
broke well to lead, under pressure and headed over 2f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra, dropped to 4th 1f out
towards rear, dropped to 5th and pushed along halfway, detached and reminder entering straight, no extra, tailed off
Branch Line stayed on strongly to catch Ma Fee Heela at Limerick and the runner-up ran well at the Curragh over the weekend. Gustavus Vassa was unfancied on his debut at Down Royal but belied his odds with a very encouraging victory. The fact that he's turned out again so quickly suggests better is expected and should produce another big run. ELEGANT POSE, a half-sister to a host of winners including Brendan Bracken, was always travelling well when landing what looked a strong fillies' maiden at the Curragh and with that under her belt can remain unbeaten. Furiosa scored over the course and distance before finding Listed company too much for her at Naas.
Branch Line (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Broke well and led early, tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden over 1f out, headway between horses to lead 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Limerick 7f gf in Jun beating Ma Fee Heela (9-3) by 1l, 4 ran.
Gustavus Vassa 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inner, pushed along from 3f out and ridden to challenge between horses from over 1f out, gained narrow lead inside final 100 yards, kept on well close home, won at Down Royal 1m 2f mdn gd in Jun beating On The Go Again (10-3) by hd, 8 ran.
Elegant Pose (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Soon chased leaders in 4th, briefly impeded over 2f out, soon switched left and impeded again, led over 1f out, pressed and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m mdn fll gd in May beating New Terms (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Furiosa (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Disputed, led after 1 1/2f, ridden and headed 3f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out, no extra 1f out, 6th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Key To My Heart (9-0) at Naas 1m 2f lst (1) Yielding in Jun.
Headfullofattitude (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Always behind, no impression straight, never a factor, 14th of 17, 17 1/2l behind Low Latency (9-5) at Fairyhouse 6f mdn gd in Jun.
Slaney Street (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on well in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Zeftan (9-6) at Curragh 1m 4f gd in Jun.
