held up in touch in 6th, ridden in moderate 5th 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, no impression
held up in touch in 5th, ridden entering straight, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and no impression on winner 2f out, disputed 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd and no extra close home
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden in 4th 3f out, moderate 3rd 1 1/2f out, disputing 2nd and no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd close home
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 1 1/2f out
held up off pace in last, ridden entering straight, no impression, never a factor
made all, travelling well entering straight, pushed along and went well clear 1 1/2f out, ridden and stayed on strongly final furlong, impressive
Aidan O’Brien has won the last three and though STONE AGE was beaten a head by Atomic Jones in the Group 2 Champion Juvenile Stakes here in September, he made such an impressive reappearance at Navan he’s taken to reverse the form. The latter only had the two runs last season and is an obvious threat while French Claim was also very impressive on his return to action at Cork. Paddy Twomey’s charge was beaten two lengths behind Duke De Sessa here in October, however, and the latter didn’t get the clearest of runs in his return to the track last month.
Atomic Jones (FR) 10-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along in 8th on outer 2f out, soon ridden, close 6th 1f out, headway to dispute lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep beating Stone Age (9-5) by hd, 10 ran.
Duke De Sessa (IRE) 10-3fav (9-8) Towards rear, 8th halfway, headway on outer over 1f out, soon ridden, improved to 3rd final 150 yards, kept on, not trouble principals, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Piz Badile (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
French Claim (FR) 5-6fav (9-9) Disputed, led after 1f, made rest, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, went clear over 1f out, kept on well, easily, won at Cork 1m 2f Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Sussex (9-9) by 9l, 5 ran.
Glory Daze (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Broke well, tracked leaders, 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f mdn Good - Yielding in Apr beating Cougar (9-8) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Great Max (IRE) 16-5 (9-9) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 17l behind French Claim (9-9) at Cork 1m 2f Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Manu Et Corde (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leader in close 2nd, a little keen in 3rd halfway, lost place and weakened 2 1/2f out, 8th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Piz Badile (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Stone Age (IRE) 1-3fav (9-8) Made all, went clear 3f out, soon pushed along, stayed on strongly under hands and heels final furlong, very easily, won at Navan 1m 2f mdn gd in Mar beating Active Duty (9-8) by 9l, 14 ran.
