disputed lead briefly early, soon raced in 3rd, ridden early straight, soon no impression, dropped to moderate 4th and no impression from 2f out
slowly into stride, soon led, took keen hold, pressed from 2f out, no extra closing stages and headed on line
disputed lead briefly early, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along entering straight, challenged from under 3f out, ran on well closing stages to lead on line
soon chased leaders in 4th, ridden from 3f out, soon no impression, went moderate 3rd 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, under pressure 7f out, soon behind, tailed off
Aidan O'Brien won this last year with the odds-on Marchese Marconi and a chance is taken that EXOTIC can repeat the process. A winner on her belated debut at Galway in August, she was found to be coughing after being beaten a distance at Gowran last month and with several Group entries she's obviously well regarded. Drifting Mist was highly tried after landing a fast-ground maiden at Leopardstown in July while Arctic Fire has been in superb form over timber, following his narrow defeat at Cheltenham with a victory at the Punchestown Festival. Shu Lewis has run in the last two Irish St Leger's though he's been absent since November.
Exotic (IRE) 10-3 (9-9) Chased leader, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no extra 2f out and soon eased, 8th of 9, 42l behind I'm Yours (8-9) at Gowran Park 1m 1f fll lst stks (1) in Apr.
Arctic Fire (GER) 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth progress to challenge after 2 out and led straight, stretched clear run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m nh nov hdl beating Gassin Golf (11-5) by 8l, 13 ran.
Shu Lewis (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before straight, headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd and no extra from under 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Cebuano (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Toe The Line (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden in 6th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Edelmira (9-0) at Tipperary 1m 1f fll mdn stks sft in Apr.
Back Off Blondie (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 12th of 15, 36l behind Whisper Rock (11-9) at Thurles 2m mrs N H flat hvy in Feb.
Drifting Mist 11-2 (8-9) Chased leader in 2nd, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Heirloom (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gd in Oct.
Peddlars Daughter (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride and always behind, never a factor, last of 13, 17l behind Snow Scene (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
