prominent, soon 2nd, pushed along 5f out, lost position and squeezed for room under 3f out, soon dropped to rear, no extra over 1f out
waited with towards rear, pushed along into straight, slightly impeded under 3f out, some headway but no impression when not much room again 1f out, soon switched left and kept on same pace
soon raced in 3rd, pushed along briefly on bend after about 3f and at stages after, effort straight, led and stayed on best closing stages
waited with towards rear, pushed along into straight, soon effort on outer, no extra and one pace final furlong
pushed along to lead, joined approaching straight and pushed along again, headed under 3f out and switched right, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
dwelt, soon raced in 4th, closed up on outer 5f out, soon 2nd, on terms approaching straight travelling smoothly, led under 3f out, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
STRONGBOWE went close to making a winning start when caught in the closing stages at Cork just four days ago. He should make another bold bid given the likes of Hasankey and Kangaroo Valley made only modest debuts for powerful connections, though should finish closer today. Elite Trooper Grey returned a losing favourite at Clonmel last month while Joseph O’Brien introduces the Frankel colt Eminent Authority, a half-brother to Group 3 winners over middle-distances and worth a second glance.
Doyouthinkso So You Think gelding out of Nawaashi.
Elite Trooper Grey (IRE) 6-4fav (9-5) Pushed along early and soon tracked leaders, challenged straight, on terms from 2f out, headed inside final furlong and one pace, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Kastasa (9-0) at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn Yielding in Apr.
Eminent Authority (IRE) Frankel colt out of L'ancresse.
Hasankey (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Soon raced in 8th, ridden and switched right 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace after, 5th of 16, 7l behind Old Glory (9-5) at Naas 7f mdn gd in Sep.
Kangaroo Valley (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, progress to 7th over 2f out, lost place and no impression on inner 2f out, one paced over 1f out, 13th of 20, 15 3/4l behind Rakan (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m mdn Good - Yielding in Oct.
Lancastria (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division, lost place 4f out, pushed along and some headway on inner over 2f out, soon ridden and no extra over 1f out, 8th of 16, 14 1/4l behind Gentile Bellini (9-5) at Cork 1m 2f mdn gd in Apr.
Strongbowe (FR) 10-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon headway on outer to track leaders, 5th halfway, closer entering straight, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, headed 100 yards out, no impression closing stages, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Brogue (9-5) at Cork 1m 2f mdn gd in May.
