tracked leaders in 5th, progress into 3rd 3f out, moderate 2nd 1 1/2f out, soon no extra
chased leaders in 4th, ridden straight, moderate 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, 6th into straight, ridden and no impression
led, ridden and strongly pressed 3f out, headed approaching straight, soon weakened
always prominent, raced wide, led approaching straight, ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on strongly, eased 100 yards from finish
tracked leaders on inner, 5th into straight, soon no extra
held up in rear, wandered about early straight, switched to outer 1 1/2f out, ran on to go moderate 2nd close home
Beyond Thankful couldn't handle Group 3 class here last time though thatwas over 7f and he probably needs this trip. Imperial Concorde started odds-on for his debut at Gowran in May and scrambled home from that goodyardstick Einstein's Folly. He hasn't raced since but there's more to come from him as there is from TWILIGHT ZONE. Aidan O'Brien's colt showed the benefit of his opening run by easily landing a Cork maiden and though stepping up markedly in class gives the impression it won't be a concern. He gets the vote as Orgilgo Bay and Cest Notre Gris are closely matched though the latter appeared to find some improvement behind Battle Of Marengo at the Curragh.
Beyond Thankful (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Raced in 5th, ridden and switched out to challenge over 1f out, soon in pursuit of winner and no impression, kept on, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Big Break (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Cest Notre Gris (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Close 2nd, driven along from before halfway, ridden to challenged entering straight, led 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Hall Of Mirrors (9-6) at Gowran Park 1m 2yo hcp gd in Oct.
Imperial Concorde (IRE) 4-5fav (9-5) Made virtually all, joined briefly and ridden over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, all out close home, won at Gowran Park 7f 2yo mdn gs in May beating Einsteins Folly (9-5) by hd, 6 ran.
Orgilgo Bay (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out to hold 2nd, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Battle Of Marengo (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) in Sep.
Sugar Boy (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Soon led, ridden under 2f out, pressed 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Tipperary 7f 2yo hcp hvy in Aug beating Designs On Rome (9-4) by 2l, 6 ran.
Twilight Zone (IRE) 1-3fav (9-5) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge from over 2f out, soon led and clear 1 1/2f out, stayed on well, won at Cork 1m 2yo mdn hvy in Oct beating Alazeya (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Coolibah (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden to chase leaders and no impression over 1f out, kept on well without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Big Break (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
