chased leaders and pushed along from early, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression on leaders in 3rd from under 2f out
settled in last, progress into close 4th travelling well entering straight, short of room briefly under 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner final furlong
held up in touch, last 5f out, ridden and no impression from 3f out
made all, travelling well entering straight, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, easily
chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 3f out
raced 2nd, ridden 4f out, weakened entering straight, no impression on leaders from 2f out
chased leaders, improved into 2nd briefly and ridden entering straight, weakened to 4th under 2f out, no impression, eased final furlong
Macbeth made a promising start at Navan in October and started favourite in a big field there a couple of weeks later. He couldn't quite get there but wasn't beaten far and should improve this season. Calgacus, CHICAGO and Badged all finished behind Azamata at Leopardstown last month with the former doing best in third. However, he'd already had the benefit of a run last year so it's the Derby entry Chicago, who was making his debut and is Aidan O'Brien's only runner at this fixture, who gets the vote to reverse the placings and take this. Waving, a son of High Chaparral out of a 1m2f winner, found a mile much too short on his debut at the Curragh and this is much more like his trip while Jim Bolger's Teofilio newcomer Night Invader, who is entered in a Group 3 at the weekend, is one to note in the betting.
Badged 25-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and no impression from 4f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Azamata (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Mar.
Chicago (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Towards rear, 10th 3f out, soon ridden and progress on inner entering straight, disputed 3rd briefly 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Azamata (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Mar.
Coin Of Courage (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 11th halfway, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 10th of 19, 8l behind Thomasgainsborough (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m mdn stks in Oct.
Macbeth (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge in 2nd 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 18, 1l behind Tower Rock (9-5) at Navan 1m 2yo mdn sft in Oct.
Night Invader (IRE) Teofilo colt out of Night Visit.
Suneagle (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Azamata (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Mar.
Waving 11-1 (9-5) Towards rear, struggling halfway, kept on without threatening, 6th of 15, 16l behind Amira's Prince (9-5) at Curragh 1m 3yo mdn in Mar.
Calgacus (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division on outer, ridden 3f out, went 5th 2f out, kept on without threatening to go 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Azamata (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Mar.
