settled behind leader early, held up in 4th from 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, 3rd before next, ridden and no impression on leaders after 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
held up in rear early, ran freely, improved into 2nd at 3rd, mistake 3 out, no extra before 2 out and weakened
settled behind leader early, 3rd from 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, 2nd after 3 out, soon pushed along briefly to close on leader, travelled well to challenge entering straight, soon led, pushed out to assert before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
led, 6-length advantage 3 out, reduced advantage before next, ridden and joined entering straight, soon headed, no extra in 2nd before last, slight mistake last, kept on same pace
held up, rear from 3rd, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened
held up, several slight mistakes, 4th before 2 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, soon no extra and weakened
Joseph O'Brien has won the last two of these and relies on Busselton, a winner at Auteuil in May and an excellent second to the high-class Zanahiyr in a Grade 2 here in December when Ha D'or and Saint Sam were close behind. The latter pair's yard is also represented by Youmdor, an impressive debut winner at Gowran then a faler at the last when in the lead at Fairyhouse. QUILIXIOS has hardly been out of a canter in three starts to date, on very heavy ground in France in March and on his victories at Punchestown and Down Royal for Gordon Elliott. He faces much stronger opposition here but is expected to pass the test
Busselton (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Led or disputed lead, headed before 4th, pushed along and disputed lead after 2 out, headed before last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Zanahiyr (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Ha D'Or (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, pushed along after 2 out and no impression early straight, headway to go 3rd at last where slight mistake, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Zanahiyr (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Quilixios 1-16fav (11-10) Made all, jumped well, pushed along and asserted after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Down Royal 2m sft in Oct beating Varna Gold (11-6) by 20l, 4 ran.
Saint Sam (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, close up when hit 2 out, pushed along early straight, dropped to rear and switched right before last, kept on well run-in to go 4th close home, 4th of 7, 6l behind Zanahiyr (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Varna Gold (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Raced in 2nd, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, one pace, 2nd of 4, 20l behind Quilixios (11-10) at Down Royal 2m sft in Oct.
Youmdor (FR) 4-9fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, close 3rd on outer 2 out, improved to lead briefly travelling well after 2 out, niggled along and joined but with every chance when fell at last, at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
