slowly into stride and towards rear, headway on outer into 4th under 2f out, ridden into 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression winner
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt slightly, soon chased leader, disputed after 3f, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
led, disputed after 3f, led over 2f out and soon pushed along, ridden 1f out, kept on well final furlong
towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
keen hold and chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden over 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened
Focussed is only upped 3lb as he bids for a hat-trick. He's already beaten Princess Aloof, Mahon Falls and Prince Art but his earlier wins came in testing ground and BLUEBELL may prove too good in this. The latter finished a modest fourth in Listed company last week but looks to have an easier task today. Ava Star should be in the mix having won a maiden at Down Royal last time and, even though the runner-up has let the form down since, she's still preferred to stablemate Keyword.
Bluebell (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up in 5th, last 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on final furlong, just held for 3rd, 4th of 6, 5l behind Indian Maharaja (9-3) at Tipperary 7f 2yo lst stk (1).
Ava Star (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear early, ridden in 5th on inner 2f out, 3rd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Down Royal 7f 2yo mdn aut gf in Jul beating Harlem Shake (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Keyword 9-1 (9-5) Soon led, joined before halfway, headed over 3f out, dropped to moderate 3rd over 2f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 11l behind Iniesta (9-5) at Galway 1m 2yo mdn sft.
Princess Aloof (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden into 5th over 2f out, 4th before straight, 3rd and kept on inside final furlong without getting to winner, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Focussed (9-4) at Galway 7f 2yo hcp sft.
Political Policy (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th early, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Australia (9-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn gf in Jul.
Prince Art (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened, 9th of 10, 12l behind Focussed (9-12) at Sligo 6f 2yo hcp.
Mahon Falls 6-1 (8-5) Went a bit left out of stalls, in rear, ridden 3f out, 6th before straight, went 4th and stayed on well without getting there inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Focussed (9-4) at Galway 7f 2yo hcp sft.
Focussed (IRE) 3-1fav (9-12) Chased leaders on outer, led under 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, won at Sligo 6f 2yo hcp beating Hilltown Gal (9-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
