held up in touch in last, ridden in last entering straight, went 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
pushed along to lead early and made all, pushed along entering straight, ridden 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, took keen hold, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 2nd 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along in 4th entering straight, ridden under 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, 2nd and pressed winner inside final furlong, no extra close home
chased leaders in 3rd, took keen hold, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, dropped to last 1f out, weakened
Aidan O'Brien has won this a dozen times and has half of the six entries. RUSSIAN EMPEROR still looked in need of experience when just getting up over a mile at Naas, coming from an apparently impossible position. He has three classic entries and has unlimited scope though did finish third on his debut at the Curragh behind stable companion Iberia, who raced in Group company subsequently without showing the expected improvement. Cormorant won a course and distance maiden in August by a short-head from Agitare and found only his long odds-on stable companion Persia too good at Chelmsford in November. Baby Zeus won a Killarney maiden and wasn't at his best when runner-up back there in August while Sunchart, who has a fine pedigree, was an impressive winner at Tipperary that same month and Andy Slattery's charge can make enough progress to get into contention.
Agitare (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Soon tracked leader on inner and ran freely early, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd over 1f out, led briefly under 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Celtic High King (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m mdn sft in Oct.
Cormorant (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Persia (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (2) pol in Nov.
Iberia (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Prominent, soon held up, 3rd halfway, ridden over 1f out, progress to 2nd final 150 yards, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Stela Star (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Russian Emperor (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Edged left away from stalls and bumped rival, soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, effort straight, switched right over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, led at the finish, won at Naas 1m mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Lobo Rojo (9-7) by shd, 17 ran.
Sunchart 11-10fav (9-5) Broke well, tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, headway between horses to lead over 1f out, stretched clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Tipperary 1m 1f mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Sacramento (9-5) by 4 3/4l, 11 ran.
Baby Zeus (IRE) 13-8 (9-8) Reared up in stalls, a little slow into stride, soon chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along straight, improved to challenge 2f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Raven's Cry (9-3) at Killarney 1m Good - Yielding in Aug.
