led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 2nd and no impression on winner 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, travelling well 2f out, pushed along and led 1 1/2f out, ridden 1f out, drifted right inside final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, disputed 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
dwelt, held up in last, pushed along entering 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening winner
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, disputed 4th 1f out, no impression in 4th inside final furlong
NEW VARIANT has never raced on fast ground but was very impressive when completing a double at Naas and deserves a crack at this level. Tower Of London has been very highly-tried since a debut maiden success on this track so should find the drop in grade to his liking. Amusement had some decent form without winning last summer and got off the mark in a handicap on testing ground here last month. Thunder Roll looks best of his stable's pair having been beaten just a neck on her debut at Gowran with a subsequent winner behind.
New Variant (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway and clear of remainder, led early straight, ridden and 3 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, very easily, won at Naas 1m 2f Good - Yielding in May beating Roman Hands (9-0) by 10l, 6 ran.
Tower Of London (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Mid-division and 5th halfway, took closer order from 2f out and soon ridden, no impression and weakened from 1f out, 6th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Sprewell (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in May.
Amusement (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Raced in rear, pushed along on outer over 2f out and good progress to challenge over 1f out, soon ridden to dispute lead and rider lost right iron, drifted slightly left closing stages, led on line, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in May beating Teutates (9-10) by ns, 6 ran.
Shamwari (USA) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, closer entering straight, pushed along and slightly hampered over 1f out, badly hampered 150 yards out, ridden and kept on well in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Red Riding Hood (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn fll pol in Apr.
Thunder Roll (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along at halfway, ridden in 8th 2f out, headway into 5th 1f out, improved into 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well without reaching winner, 2nd of 15, nk behind Empress Of Beauty (9-2) at Gowran Park 1m 1f mdn fll Yielding in May.
