mid-division, 8th halfway, driven along approaching straight and no threat from over 2f out
settled towards rear, 10th halfway, some headway approaching straight, 7th 2f out, soon no extra and eased when beaten final furlong
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden to go 5th approaching straight, no impression in 4th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
broke well and prominent, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra approaching straight, soon dropped to rear and eased when beaten from 2f out
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden along approaching straight and dropped to 6th 2f out, no extra
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to go 3rd early straight, went 2nd 1f out but no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
settled in rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th over 3f out and soon no extra, eased when beaten in straight
in rear early, steady headway on inner to go 3rd over 4f out, ridden and dropped to rear approaching straight, no threat but kept on one pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, good headway on outer into 5th early straight, led 1f out and kept on well
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd approaching straight, 2nd 2f out but soon no impression, no extra in 5th final furlong, weakened
soon led, ridden entering straight and headed 1f out, no impresion in 3rd final furlong
Grade 3 winning chaser Beau Michael has won three times on the Flat including on ground faster than he would have liked at Ballinrobe last time. He was earlier runner-up to another chaser in Headford Flyer and the latter should confirm the form on these terms and make his presence felt. Star Of Aragon was behind Beau Michael at Ballinrobe but he didn't enjoy the fast going and can definitely do better. Capellanus hasn't been running badly over hurdles and Whatuthink has been competing at a high level over timber and fences. ALHELLAL's two recent victories have been over 1m4f at Dundalk but he has no problems staying this trip having won over 2m4f over hurdles. He looks to be on a very lenient mark for his first venture into handicap company on Turf and gets the vote.
Admiral Barry (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Mid-division, moderate 9th halfway, no threat in straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 15, 14l behind Midnight Soprano (9-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in May.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never a factor, no threat in straight, last of 15, well behind Midnight Soprano (9-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in May.
Alhellal (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 50-80 pol in May beating Akinspirit (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Keep It Cool (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden early straight and no impression in 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Northgate (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-100 pol in Apr.
Headford Flyer (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Soon tracked leaders, struggling approaching straight until strong run to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Clonmel 2m hcp 60-90 sft in May beating Beau Michael (8-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Beau Michael 13-2 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 4th from over 2f out, challenged under pressure and led inside final furlong, drifted left briefly, stayed on well, won at Ballinrobe 1m 6f Handicap (47-70) (4yo+) gf in May beating Sounds Of Thunder (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Capellanus (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, last entering straight, 11th on outer 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 6l behind Royal Diamond (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gd in Apr.
Whatuthink (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 14th of 16, 26l behind Hidden Universe (8-13) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Louisville Lip (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Towards rear, no impression from 3f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Great Huzzar (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m hcp hvy in May.
Star Of Aragon (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Soon led, joined approaching 3f out, still travelling well until headed and no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Beau Michael (9-11) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f Handicap (47-70) (4yo+) gf in May.
Knockcroghery (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders in 5th, ridden to go 3rd 2f out, no impression from 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Caim Hill (11-2) at Wexford 2m mdn stks in May.
