soon disputed lead, pressed from over 2f out, soon no extra and headed, squeezed for room when beaten inside final furlong
towards rear, headway from early straight, 3rd over 1f out, challenged between horses and led inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up, ridden before straight, soon no impression
tracked leaders, no extra under pressure from 2f out
soon mid-division, headway into 4th over 1f out, soon short of room and kept on final furlong
soon disputed lead, pressed over 2f out, soon headed and no extra from over 1f out
towards rear, some headway under pressure from early straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd from 4f out, challenged and on terms over 2f out, in front over 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong
dwelt, soon mid-division, improved to challenge from 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
Three-year-olds don't have a good record in this but are strongly represented here. Ideal won a fillies' maiden from the front at Clonmel in very taking fashion and will take some catching on her handicap debut but SPIRIT OF CUBA looks the one to beat. Samantha Bell is making a name for herself and she rode a patient race on Kevin Prendergast's filly at Down Royal and the combination can defy a 12lb rise in the weights. Sceal Nua looks a big threat as she looked very progressive when beating subsequent winner Negotiate at the Curragh though the softer ground was a big help. Norah Starr has won a couple of minor events in good style but faces a much stiffer test from a 12lb higher mark.
Plum Sugar (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Tracked leader in 2nd racing keenly, ridden early straight, no extra and dropped to 6th 1f out, 6th of 18, 6l behind Gimli's Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Syann (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden over 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Celendine (8-8) at Down Royal 1m 2f fll hcp in Jun.
Be My Storm (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Soon mid-division, no impression and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 8th of 12, 7l behind Core Element (9-5) at Roscommon 7f Fillies Handicap (50-85) (3yo+) gf.
Penthesilea Eile (USA) 66-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, no threat from early straight, tailed off, 5th of 7, 37l behind Red Cadeaux (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Jun.
Spirit Of Cuba (IRE) 5-2 (8-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well behind horses in 5th 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp 50-80 in Jun beating Glamorous (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Ideal 6-4fav (9-0) Made all, travelling best 3f out, pushed out to go clear from under 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn flls stks gf in May beating Tafjeer (9-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
Spring Hawk (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along to go 4th 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 17, 4l behind Global Recovery (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp 50-75 gf in Jun.
Sceal Nua (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge in 2nd 1f out, led inside final 200 yards, kept on well, won at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo hcp 60-100 sft in Jun beating Negotiate (9-6) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Norah Starr (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Soon tracked leaders, 2nd over 4f out, on terms from 2 1/2f out, led and asserted under pressure inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Sligo 1m 2f hcp 50-70 sft in Jun beating Gold Mirage (9-12) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
