keen, soon raced in 4th, effort straight, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
disputed lead early, soon raced in 2nd, on terms again 3 1/2f out, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
disputed lead early, a little keen, soon led, joined 3 1/2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, a little keen, soon 5th, pushed along approaching straight, one pace 1 1/2f out
towards rear, closed from 3f out, raced towards outer straight and effort, kept on without matching principals final furlong
soon raced in 3rd, effort straight, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt and pushed along briefly, soon raced in 6th, headway and effort straight, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong
Dermot Weld won this with the Derby winner Harzand in 2016 and has Wuqood engaged here. A debut winner at Gowran in August, he just failed in a sustained battle with Flying Visit in a Group 3 here in October and is 3lb better off with Jim Bolger's charge. Aidan O'Brien has an excellent record in the race and has two entries. BOLSHOI BALLET easily beat O'Reilly, who runs earlier, here in October then ran well on very testing ground in the Group 1 Criterium De Saint-Cloud. Ryan Moore takes the ride ahead of the once-raced Lough Derg, who beat the tough and consistent Colour Sergeant in a Dundalk maiden in November. Joseph O'Brien won this with Rekindling in 2017 and Isle Of Sark was very impressive at Dundalk while Taipan overcame inexperience to make a successful debut at Tipperary.
Flying Visit (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-13) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 2f out, never a factor, 9th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Colfer Kay (8-6) at Naas 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) (8-13) 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Gear Up (8-13) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) in Oct.
Catena Zapata (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, pushed along and briefly short of room 2f out, soon switched right and ridden, moderate 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening in 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 6 3/4l behind To Glory (9-9) at Dundalk 1m pol in Mar.
Fernando Vichi (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and some headway in 5th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Cadillac (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Isle Of Sark (USA) 5-6fav (9-7) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd approaching halfway, closed up straight, on terms 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out to assert and stayed on well inside final furlong, easily, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov beating Always Waitin (9-7) by 4l, 14 ran.
Lough Derg (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Dwelt slightly and pushed along leaving stalls, soon mid-division, under pressure in 7th halfway, progress under 2f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, ran on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov beating Colour Sergeant (9-5) by nk, 14 ran.
Taipan (FR) 7-1 (9-7) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden over 3f out, progress on outer 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, ran on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Naas 1m mdn hvy in Nov beating Team Of Firsts (9-7) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Wuqood 7-1 (9-5) Waited with, soon in rear, 8th over 3f out and headway, switched right from over 2f out to outer, challenged and every chance inside final furlong, kept on well without quite matching winner, 2nd of 9, hd behind Flying Visit (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
