tracked leader, pushed along to challenge over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
made all, pressed from under 2f out, asserted and stayed on well final furlong
raced last of the 3, pushed along over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
Aidan O'Brien won this a year ago with Rain Forest and Last Crusade is his representative here from four early stage entries. A winner over a mile at Dundalk in December, he'll be better suited by today's trip as he's by Galileo. who is also the sire of NOTABLE GRADUATE. Dermot Weld's colt was a long way in front of Last Crusade when both made their debuts at Leopardstown in October and has made steady made progress as he's stepped up in trip. He's still entered in the Derbies at Epsom and the Curragh and should take this. Gort Na Mona will have found 7f too short when she made her debut at Dundalk and is likely to do better in time.
Last Crusade (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Made all, ridden and strongly pressed from 2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, edged right 100 yards from finish, won at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol in Dec beating Pirate Chest (8-11) by 1l, 6 ran.
Notable Graduate (IRE) 2-5fav (9-5) Soon tracked leader, led before straight, soon looked likely winner, stayed on well from over 1f out, won at Tipperary 1m 4f 3yo mdn sft in Apr beating Kasanka (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Gort Na Mona (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders , 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, 6th and no extra 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 6l behind Emiyna (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn stks pol in Apr.
