soon close up in 2nd, reminder under 3f out, on terms from before straight, soon led but quickly joined, headed 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out
prominent early, soon settled towards rear, closed to track leaders under 3f out, soon 4th, challenged 2f out, no impression 1f out
soon raced in 5th, pushed along in 6th from before straight, ridden to chase leader in 2nd 1f out, led 100yds out, stayed on best
a little uneasy in stalls, in rear, pushed along under 3f out, soon headway, challenged 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, headed and kept on same pace from 100yds out
tracked leaders, soon 4th, pushed along under 3f out in 3rd, challenged straight, no extra from over 1f out
prominent, soon 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place, behind and eased under 2f out
led, pushed along briefly early, pushed along again 4f out, joined from before straight, soon headed and no impression, weakened from over 1f out
Jim Bolger has the best recent record in this and Moonlight Magic will be fancied to keep up the sequence and retain his unbeaten record. The son of Cape Cross stayed on powerfully to land a Listed contest over slightly shorter here in October and looks a smart prospect. Aidan O'Brien has three entries and though COOK ISLANDS' form doesn't quite match up to that of stable companions Beacon Rock and Idaho he has Ryan Moore on board and may have made the greater progress over the winter. Harzand didn't have much to beat on his return at Cork but ploughed through the heavy ground for a very easy success and could be anything.
Beacon Rock (IRE) 15-8fav (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along from halfway, went 2nd inside final furlong and stayed on in closing stages but never going pace to reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Gifted Master (9-1) at Newmarket 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Cook Islands (IRE) 8-15fav (9-5) Soon raced in 5th, pushed along 3f out, soon 3rd, led over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on well final furlong, won at Navan 1m mdn gd in Oct beating Sea Of Mystery (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Harzand (IRE) 4-9fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, led under 3f out, pushed along and went 4 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, very easily, won at Cork 1m 2f mdn hvy in Mar beating Sword Fighter (9-5) by 16l, 10 ran.
Idaho (IRE) 6-4fav (8-13) 4th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Robin Of Navan (8-13) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 1 stks hvy in Nov.
Moonlight Magic 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and progress on outer over 1f out, led 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 1f lst stks (1) gd in Oct beating Landofhopeandglory (9-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Play The Game (IRE) 6-4fav (9-4) Slightly bumped from stalls, tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along from 3f out and ridden over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, dropped to 4th on line, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Sevenleft (9-6) at Naas 7f gf in Oct.
Theodorico (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden to go 2nd 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Awtaad (9-10) at Curragh 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
