tracked leader, ridden in 3rd halfway, driven in 2nd 4f out, weakened entering straight
5th early, progress on outer to dispute lead after 3f, 2nd after 4f, close up in 3rd 4f out, improved into 2nd under 3f out, driven 2f out, no impression leader, lost 3rd close home
held up in rear, pushed along entering straight, no impression
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along into 3rd entering straight, ridden under 2f out, 4th under 1f out, kept on to 2nd close home
towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along 4f out, driven into 5th entering straight, kept on same pace
led, disputed after 3f, led after 4f, pushed along to assert under 3f out, ridden under 2f out, kept on well, comfortably
settled 3rd early, soon 2nd, 5th after 3f, pushed along 4f out, 4th 2f out, kept on final furlong to 3rd on line
Some interesting entries here with Aidan O'Brien complicating matters by saddling FELIX MENDELSSOHN and Granddukeoftuscany. Joseph has picked the former, a son of Galileo out of the Group 3 winner Ice Queen, and he may be good enough to make a winning start. His stablemate is related to five winners and could be anything, however, while Marakoush has come up against some useful performers in his three races and will be a very good yardstick for the Ballydoyle pair. He holds Starchitect and Sundara on his latest run while there was obviously something amiss with Wexford Town here in September after a promising debut on the track. Gambrinus has no big race entries but looked a nice prospect with an encouraging debut behind Blue Hussar here in November and is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Chase The Challis (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Dwelt, always towards rear, 16th of 17, 17l behind Kerkeni (9-5) at Naas 1m 3yo mdn aut in Apr.
Felix Mendelssohn (IRE) Galileo colt out of Ice Queen.
Gambrinus (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Settled towards rear, headway early straight and went 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Blue Hussar (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f mdn stks sft in Nov.
Marakoush (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Always prominent, on terms from over 4f out, led into straight, joined from 2f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sinkal (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo mdn in Apr.
Starchitect (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Raced in mid-division on outer, improved into moderate 4th from under 3f out, soon no impression, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Sinkal (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo mdn in Apr.
Sundara (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, pushed along in 2nd halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out and no extra in 4th 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 22l behind Good Tradition (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo mdn in Apr.
Unrequited (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division and 9th halfway, pushed along in 7th over 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 7l behind Ebanoran (9-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn gd in Oct.
Asbury Boss (IRE) Dalakhani colt out of Nick's Nikita.
Granddukeoftuscany (IRE) Galileo colt out of Crystal Valkyrie.
Wexford Town (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) 3rd early, last after 2f, ridden before straight, soon no impression, last of 4, 21l behind Australia (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
