soon in rear, pushed along and headway on outer over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon on terms, stayed on well to lead near line
soon led, joined after halfway, under pressure over 2f out, soon headed, dropped to last over 1f out, no extra
soon raced in 3rd, 4th approaching straight, soon pushed along, some headway over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
soon prominent in 2nd, on terms after halfway, still travelling smoothly over 2f out, soon led, quickly pushed along, strongly pressed over 1f out, soon joined, headed and dropped to 3rd 50yds out, one pace
soon raced in 4th, 3rd approaching straight, pushed along over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon on terms, kept on well, headed near line
It's difficult to underestimate the chances of COULD BE KING, who is 10lb clear on official ratings. John Oxx's colt ended his first campaign with a close fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 and reappeared with a fine run in the Listed 2000 Guineas Trial on the same track. He holds last month's Dundalk winner National Guard on a line through Wargrave but Basic Law will appreciate the extra furlong after getting up close home over 7f here last month. Sherkali is a bit of an unknown having still looked in need of experience when landing a Navan maiden and he's still in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Listowel winner Check My Pulse looks to have plenty to find.
Basic Law (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd 1 1/2f out, ridden in close 2nd 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, improved to lead close home, won at Gowran Park 7f mdn Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Geneticist (9-5) by nk, 16 ran.
Check My Pulse (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression in 5th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Decrypt (9-4) at Cork 7f gd in Apr.
Could Be King 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight and ridden to challenge over 1f out, 3rd and no impression final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Never No More (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f lst stks (1) sft in Apr.
National Guard (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and headway between horses under 2f out, ridden to lead and edged right over 1f out, asserted and drifted left inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Mar beating These Days (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sherkali (IRE) 10-3 (9-5) Raced in 6th early, closed and effort under 2f out, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Navan 1m mdn gd in Mar beating California Daddy (9-5) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
