chased leader early, soon settled 3rd, close up briefly entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no impression, dropped to 4th inside final furlong
soon held up, 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out and no impression, kept on one pace into 3rd inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, no extra in rear 2f out, eased 1f out
soon held up, 4th halfway, smooth progress to challenge 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong
jumped awkwardly, soon improved to chase leader in 2nd, led over 3f out, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
Seven of the last ten favourites have won and three-year-olds have won five times. Dermot Weld has won it four times including the last two and has set his stall out to continue the sequence with two entries. CARLA BIANCA looks the obvious one of the stable's pair as she completed a four-timer when landing a Group 3 at the Curragh in August. She has Group 1 entries and though penalised looks the one to be on. Wedding Vow was having only her second run when narrowly beaten by Zannda at Leopardstown and she has the scope to go on to better things while Listed runner-up Legatissimo found 7f on the short side on her reappearance at Leopardstown. Euphrasia's best effort came in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup when a close third to Noble Mission and a repeat of that would see her in the shake-up.
Carla Bianca (IRE) 5-4fav (9-0) Settled in mid-division, 5th halfway, improved to take closer order from under 3f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out and kept on well to lead 150 yards out, won at Curragh 1m 1f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Pearl Of Africa (9-7) by 1l, 9 ran.
Euphrasia (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Broke well, tracked leader, disputed approaching straight, headed 2f out and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Fascinating Rock (9-10) at Leopardstown 1m Listed stks (1) sft.
Queen Of Alba (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Led and soon clear, ridden 4f out, strongly pressed 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Parish Hall (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f Listed stks (1).
Legatissimo (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) In rear, 6th halfway, 7th and travelling well under 2f out, pushed along and progress to 5th 1f out, kept on final furlong to 4th, never nearer, 4th of 8, 6l behind Stormfly (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1).
Wedding Vow (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Held up 6th, improved to 2nd halfway, pushed along to lead 2f out, strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, headed 50 yards out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Zannda (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo fll mdn.
Antique Platinum (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Raced in close 2nd, pushed along to lead 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, driven and rallied final furlong, not match winner close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Sea Coast (9-7) at Cork 1m fll hcp in Aug.
Ballybacka Queen (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Settled 6th, 7th 4f out, pushed along under 3f out, no impression 1f out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Massinga (9-0) at Cork 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) hvy.
