chased leaders, soon 4th, closed from halfway, 3rd over 3f out, pushed along approaching straight, no impression over 1f out, soon one pace
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along approaching straight where raced on outer, no impression in moderate 5th approaching final furlong
prominent, soon 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, soon 4th and briefly impeded, dropped to rear over 2f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong
soon led, went on from halfway, slightly reduced lead before straight and soon pushed along, asserted over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably
chased leaders, soon 5th, pushed along approaching straight, no impression in moderate 6th approaching final furlong, soon no extra
dwelt, towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, soon improved and chased winner in moderate 2nd under 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
prominent, soon 2nd, pushed along 3f out, not much room briefly between horses into straight, no impression over 1f out, soon one pace
Taj Mahal only won once in his opening campaign and that was on the all-weather though he did manage a place in a Group 3 here in October when Spanish Tenor was just behind. His stable-companion ORDEROFTHEGARTER (NAP) had two runs behind stablemates here last season before returning to action at Naas where he gained a spectacular victory on testing ground. There's no reason why he shouldn't handle these better conditions and he'll be difficult to beat. Firey Speech followed a maiden victory by landing a Galway nursery then improved again when runner-up in a Group 3 on this track while Zorion looked one to follow this season after a very impressive debut success when odds-on at Roscommon. With his yard in excellent form, Dundalk winner Glastonbury Song is expected to show marked improvement.
Firey Speech (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and progress in 3rd over 1f out, ridden to go 2nd 150 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Landfall (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Glastonbury Song (IRE) 4-6fav (9-3) Towards rear, 11th over 3f out, travelled well in mid-division 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, asserted closing stages, comfortably, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Sep beating Chelsea Corsage (8-6) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Maximus Daia (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Prominent in 2nd, closed up before straight, soon on terms, travelling smoothly 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, pressed and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Cork 7f mdn hvy in Apr beating Pecheurs De Perles (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Orderofthegarter (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Led and disputed, led halfway, pushed out to go clear under 2f out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Naas 1m mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Tommy Hallinan (9-5) by 11l, 20 ran.
Spanish Tenor (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along on outer in 4th 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on steadily without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Making Light (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Oct.
Taj Mahal (IRE) (8-13) 5th of 13, 3l behind Waldgeist (8-13) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Zorion 4-7fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead 1 1/2f out, ran around slightly in front, kept on strongly to go clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Roscommon 7f mdn gd in Aug beating Joy For Mary (9-0) by 6 1/2l, 10 ran.
