raced in 3rd, ridden straight, no impression from 2f out, kept on under pressure
led and disputed lead, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, soon outpaced, moderate 2nd and kept on under pressure final furlong
always behind, weakened straight
dwelt, held up towards rear, 6th and ridden straight, kept on same pace from 2f out
close 2nd and disputed lead, led 2 1/2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly, eased inside final furlong, hung right near finish
tracked leaders in 5th, 4th and effort early straight, no impression from 1 1/2f out, one pace
held up in touch, 8th and ridden early straight, no impression until stayed on closing stages
tracked leaders on inner, 5th entering straight, 4th from under 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, 6th halfway, lost place entering straight, no impression from 2f out
This revolves around the fitness, or lack of it, of EMPRESARIO. David Wachman's charge made a very bright debut at Naas last August when looking a certain future winner but he hasn't been seen on a racecourse since and fitness has to be taken on trust. That's comfortably the best form on view and he's given the vote over the four-year-old Brassbound, who has run well on all three starts to date and was only just touched off by Ted Veale at Sligo. Order has been beaten a long way on both starts but drops back from 1m4f and Crystal Kangaroo's fourth behind Circle at Leopardstown looks better form so he looks the main threat.
Bitsanbobs (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, led 4f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, weakened, 5th of 10, 13l behind Double Double (9-7) at Sligo 1m 4f Apprentice Maiden Stakes (4yo+) in Aug.
Brassbound (USA) 9-4 (9-13) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge entering straight, no extra in 2nd closing stages, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Ted Veale (9-13) at Sligo 1m 2f mdn stks hvy in Aug.
Pesdivo (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 10th of 14, 24l behind Circle (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f mdn stks gs in Aug.
Troon (USA) Kitten's Joy gelding out of Sunday Sport.
Crystal Kangaroo (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Circle (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f mdn stks gs in Aug.
Empresario (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, pressed winner close home, 2nd of 15, nk behind Tiffilia (8-12) at Naas 7f 2yo mdn gf in Aug '11.
Hatton Cross (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Soon chased leaders, moderate 4th under 3f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out, 6th of 15, 14l behind Punch Your Weight (9-5) at Cork 7f mdn stks in Aug.
Heavy Weight (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Prominent, led briefly before halfway, ridden in 2nd 3f out, soon weakened and trailing, 8th of 9, 37l behind Equity Swap (9-10) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo hcp sft in Jun.
Order (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 12l behind Katiola (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 4f 3yo mdn gd in Jul.
