awkward leaving stalls, soon ran freely in 3rd, ridden approaching straight, 4th 2f out, no impression, dropped to 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
ran 5th, dropped to 6th 1 1/2f out, no impression, 5th under 1f out, kept on, no threat
broke well to lead, driven approaching straight, ridden 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, dropped to 3rd final 100 yards, kept on same pace
rear, 8th halfway, pulled up quickly under 4f out
soon raced 4th, driven approaching straight, 3rd 2f out, progress to 2nd over 1f out, improved to lead 1f out, soon ridden, headed final 50 yards, no chance with winner
towards rear, 6th halfway, niggled along under 5f out, driven approaching straight, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, rapid headway 1f out to lead final 50 yards, kept on best
towards rear, 7th halfway, driven 2 1/2f out, ridden over 2f out, no headway, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, driven 2 1/2f out, ridden under 2f out, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, 4th final 150 yards, kept on same pace
Ceol Na Nog was in hat-trick form early in the summer and not surprisingly shot up the ratings as a consequence. She looked in the handicapper's grip at Down Royal though she's been dropped 2lb and should make a bold bid again. Giant's Quest is gradually dropping to a reasonable mark though he faces a couple of interesting younger rivals here in Laws Of Spin and ROMANESQUE. The former was having his first start since October when landing a 1m2f Ballinrobe handicap and there's stamina on his dam's side but it's the latter, a son of Montjeu out of a winning sprinter, who looked a smart staying prospect in heavy going over 1m4f at Bellewstown, that can remain unbeaten. Sea Of Mystery couldn't quite manage to hold off Successor over 1m6f at Killarney but the son of Sea The Stars should have no problems staying the extra.
Gambling Girl (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Held up 4th, 3rd after 5f, dropped to 4th and pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, dropped to 5th under 1f out, kept on to 4th, no threat, 4th of 5, 2l behind Arya Tara (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Barnacle Bill (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up 3rd, progress to 2nd at 4th, pushed along after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened to rear before 2 out where not fluent, no extra, last of 5, 29l behind Never Again (10-7) at Limerick 2m hvy in Mar.
Ceol Na Nog (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2 1/2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Simannka (9-0) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp fll gd in Jun.
Giant's Quest (AUS) 14-1 (8-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, driven over 3f out, ridden and dropped to 3rd over 2f out, no impression, ridden 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 10l behind Asbury Boss (9-2) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Romanesque (IRE) 5-4 (9-5) Soon raced in 2nd, on terms from 4f out, pushed along to lead from 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, stayed on best to gain upper hand closing stages, won at Bellewstown 1m 4f mdn hvy in Jul beating Easy Pass (9-5) by 2l, 5 ran.
Laws Of Spin (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon carried slightly left, on terms over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead near line, won at Ballinrobe 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul beating Kandahari (8-6) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Redera (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden at 6th (usual 3 out), weakened, never a factor, 12th of 13, dist behind Bamako Moriviere (11-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Sea Of Mystery (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, improved to lead after 5f, ridden 2f out, pressed inside final furlong and headed last 50 yards, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Successor (9-5) at Killarney 1m 6f mdn Good - Yielding in Jul.
