disputed early, soon 2nd, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on strongly from over 1f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, 2nd and no impression 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden in 8th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear for most, never a factor
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on to 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, kept on one pace in 5th from 1f out
Handassa was well supported on her debut at the Curragh in October and ran out an impressive winner but the form of the race has worked out very poorly and there's a great deal more to do here. Dermot Weld won this a year ago with subsequent Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Bethrah. He has a similar type in the once-raced Zaminast though a narrow defeat of today's rival Ballybacka Lady at Galway doesn't look good enough for this. Both Manieree and Gemstone are blinkered for the first time and have been competing at a higher level. Neither have the look of a classic winner though nor does the former's stablemate Dance Secretary. RADHARCNAFARRAIGE has her first start over a mile and should be suited. She's no world-beater but her overall form entitles her to the vote in what looks a disappointing line-up.
Ballybacka Lady (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 5l behind Enchanted Evening (9-8) at Dundalk 1m fll stk pol in Apr.
Dance Secretary (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Settled in mid-division, 8th halfway, short of room from 2f out, headway and squeezed through between horses to challenge well inside final furlong, kept on well to lead closing stages, won at Curragh 7f mdn stks gf beating Betrothed (9-0) by hd, 14 ran.
Face Reality (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, slightly hampered 1f out, kept on well final furlong, pressed winner close home, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Enchanted Evening (9-8) at Dundalk 1m fll stk pol in Apr.
Gemstone (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Settled in moderate 3rd, closer from 3f out, 4th under 2f out, soon no extra and weakened quickly from over 1f out, eased, 7th of 9, 21l behind Siren's Song (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo lst fll gs in Apr.
Handassa 13-8fav (8-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, briefly niggled to challenge 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out to draw clear inside final furlong, impressive, won at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn aut in Oct beating Deire Na Sli (8-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Hurricane Havoc (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on outer, 5th halfway, driven along in 6th entering straight, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Empowering (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) in Mar.
Radharcnafarraige (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division on inner, never a factor, no threat in straight, 12th of 14, 9l behind Empowering (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) in Mar.
Sapphire Pendant (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th entering straight, headway to go 2nd over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead closing strides, won at Cork 1m 3yo fll mdn gd in Apr beating Azores (9-0) by nk, 16 ran.
Zaminast 4-1 (9-0) Soon mid-division, moderate 7th and headway from under 3f out, 6th approaching straight, switched to outer, closed and ran on well inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Galway 7f 2yo fll mdn gd in Jul beating Ballybacka Lady (8-11) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Manieree (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer 3f out, led briefly 2f out, soon ridden and headed over 1f out, 4th and no impression when checked inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Siren's Song (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo lst fll gs in Apr.
