tracked leader in 2nd, closed on leader 4f out, strongly challenged leader 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on, dropped to 3rd on line
soon led, pressed 4f out, almost joined 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, all out
ran freely in 4th early, under pressure in 5th 4f out, dropped to 6th 3f out, detached in 5th over 2f out, no impression
raced 3rd, closer in 3rd 3f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, dropped to 4th final 100 yards, no extra
in rear, 6th halfway, 5th 3f out, came wide entering straight, soon detached, pulled up 1f out
towards rear, 5th halfway, 4th 4f out, ridden under 1f out, stayed on strongly to 2nd on line, nearest finish
Aidan O'Brien hasn't won this since 2013 but goes for it big-time here with three of the six entries. The trio finished in the minor positions behind Rekindling in the Ballysax here a month ago with Jim Bolger's Dubai Sand, who was impeded at a crucial stage, in fifth. Douglas Macarthur came out on top that day with YUCATAN close behind and Capri, who had beaten that pair last season, back in fourth. Riding arrangements then suggested the selection was expected to come out on top and that may be the case this time, though the trio look very closely matched. Insayshable beat Naturalist in a course and distance maiden last month but this is very much tougher.
Capri (IRE) 5-2 (9-8) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, progress and slightly impeded under 2f out, disputed 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th inside final furlong and kept on without troubling principals, 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Rekindling (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Douglas Macarthur (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, closed over 3f out, on terms travelling smoothly into straight, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rekindling (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Dubai Sand (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 3f out in 2nd, soon on terms, headed 2f out, losing place when short of room 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Rekindling (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Insayshable (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 7th 3f out, headway into 5th 2f out, soon pushed along, 2nd 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn sft in Apr beating Naturalist (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Naturalist (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inner, checked briefly after 1f, close 6th 2f out, soon pushed along, 3rd 1f out, ridden and stayed on well to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Insayshable (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn sft in Apr.
Yucatan (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on without matching 1st 2 inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Rekindling (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
