dwelt, soon headway on outer into mid-division and 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out and ridden to lead 1f out, headed final 100 yards, kept on one pace
mid-division, 5th halfway and pushed along approaching straight, no impression under 2f out and soon no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight and ridden to challenge over 1f out, 3rd and no impression final 100 yards
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, pushed along early straight, switched right and ridden over 1f out, headway to lead final 100 yards, kept on well
broke well, settled back towards rear, pushed along on outer entering straight, soon ridden and no extra under 2f out
towards rear, ridden and some headway on inner in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
reared slightly from stalls, soon led, pushed along entering straight, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Aidan O'Brien has won the last three of these and has a trio of entries. Never No More has the advantage of a recent run having shown improved form to land a Naas handicap last month when stable companion San Andreas, who started favourite, finished mid-division. The Irish Rover has the stronger overall form having raced in better company including when a good fourth in the Gimcrack. Wargrave also scored at the Naas fixture, winning a maiden in good style though he was beaten a neck by Could Be King over this trip on soft ground at Limerick in October. MADHMOON is comfortably the form pick on his two victories over a mile on this track, the latest a very impressive success in a Group 2 for which he picks up a penalty. He's currently around 14/1 for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and those odds will shrink significantly if he wins easily here.
Madhmoon (IRE) 6-5fav (9-3) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Sep beating Broome (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Copia Verborum (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Soon raced in 4th, under pressure and edged right over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 16, 7l behind Never No More (9-7) at Naas 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Could Be King 5-1 (9-3) Chased leader, 4th halfway, progress entering straight, ridden in 4th under 2f out, closed in 3rd over 1f out, no extra closing stages and dropped to 4th, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Coral Beach (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Oct.
Never No More (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Soon raced in 5th, progress to challenge and on terms 1 1/2f out, led inside final furlong, asserted from over 50yds out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Naas 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar beating Black Magic Woman (8-7) by 3 3/4l, 16 ran.
San Andreas (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Waited with, soon towards rear, closed up and effort when switched left to inner 2f out and not much room, one pace 1f out, 9th of 16, 9 3/4l behind Never No More (9-7) at Naas 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
The Irish Rover (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Held up in last pair, some headway far side of group halfway, ridden and beaten over 2f out, eased, last of 7, 22 1/2l behind Kessaar (9-1) at Newbury 6f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Wargrave (IRE) 10-3 (9-5) Soon led, went on from over 1f out, stayed on well to quickly assert, won at Naas 7f mdn Yielding - Soft in Mar beating Basic Law (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Breaking Story (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, 5th halfway, came wide entering straight and lost place, soon ridden, 6th 1f out, one paced final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Coral Beach (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Oct.
