tracked leaders, closed travelling well when gap closed 2f out, soon switched, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, soon challenged in 2nd, stayed on best to lead closing stages
towards rear, ridden and got good run on inner to lead over 1f out, drifted left and strongly pressed inside final furlong, not match winner and headed closing stages
soon towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, no impression in last from over 1f out
tracked leaders, dropped to 6th and no impression from over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, struggling when a bit short of room over 1f out, soon no impression
led, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, no impression under pressure in 5th and kept on same pace from over 1f out
Race conditions are very much in favour of BROWN BUTTERFLY, who is officially rated 9lb superior to his nearest rival after another excellent performance at the Curragh on Saturday where he was headed on the line by Saratoga Baby, who was receiving 9lb. He should gain compensation though Energise had some smart form in the UK last year and should be ready to win soon. Great Soprano started off in a maiden hurdle but has done well on Polytrack while If Per Chance has failed to complete the course in two races over timber since racing at Dundalk in December and probably needs further. September Lily generally goes well in minor handicaps and has only raced on fast ground once in 17 outings. Neither Attire nor Bendzoldan can be dismissed though both need to find a bit more.
Brown Butterfly 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 21, shd behind Saratoga Baby (8-12) at Curragh 1m hcp 50-80 gf.
Great Soprano (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden in 6th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Akasaka (10-3) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Jan.
Energize (FR) 13-2 (9-7) Soon led, strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Zeftan (9-7) at Limerick 1m mdn stks.
If Per Chance (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway into 6th 2f out, close 3rd 1f out, pressed winner final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Shukhov (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Dec.
Bendzoldan (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th 1 1/2f out, stayed on to 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Reposer (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m hcp.
Attire (IRE) 7-4fav (8-6) Settled in rear, travelled well to close early straight, headway between horses to go 2nd well over 1f out, soon challenged, ridden and no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Poly Pomona (8-9) at Dundalk 1m Maiden Fillies Stakes (4yo+) pol in Apr.
September Lily (IRE) 4-1fav (10-3) Soon led, headed 1f out, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Great Ability (9-2) at Naas 7f app hcp 47-65.
