chased leaders, pushed along in 5th 2f out, short of room briefly under 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, 3rd close home, kept on
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along in 8th on outer 2f out, soon ridden, close 6th 1f out, headway to dispute lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home
dwelt, towards rear, ridden in 9th 2f out, no impression final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, headway into 7th on inner 2f out, soon ridden, close 3rd on inner 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders on inner early, short of room after 1f and dropped to mid-division, pulled hard and soon switched to outer, ridden entering straight, no impression
chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 4th 2f out, short of room briefly under 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon disputed lead, led at halfway, joined entering straight, soon ridden, led 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, ridden in 6th 2f out, weakened
soon disputed lead, took keen hold, headed at halfway, disputed lead entering straight, soon ridden, headed 1 1/2f out, soon weakened
mid-division on outer, attempted to half-jump roadway after 1f and stumbled badly, headway into 4th at halfway, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, joined inside final furlong, headed and kept on same pace close home
Eight of the last 11 renewals have gone to Ballydoyle but neither Stone Age nor Howth have looked up to the sort of quality that saw the likes of Zoffany and Australia successful. The former was behind Manu Et Corde in a maiden here and the winner was well beaten at this level next time having finished behind Atomic Jones at the Curragh on his debut. Ger Lyons’ charge only got home by a short-head but, with improvement guaranteed, can get into contention. Absolute Ruler made a winning debut at Dundalk but the form hasn’t worked out, nor has John The Baptist’s victory at Tipperary. MARITIME WINGS has been put in his place by Point Lonsdale the last twice but there doesn’t look anything of the winner’s calibre here and he can get back to winning ways.
Absolute Ruler (USA) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, soon 3rd, improved to 2nd over 2f out, strongly challenged leader and led final 150 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Aug beating Amortentia (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Atomic Jones (FR) 11-2 (9-5) Dwelt, soon mid-division on outer, pushed along in close 4th under 2f out, ridden to dispute lead under 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well, all out, won at Curragh 7f mdn gf in Jun beating Point Gellibrand (9-5) by shd, 9 ran.
Buckaroo Evensfav (9-7) Tracked leaders, raced in 2nd after 1f, travelling well 2f out, pushed along to challenge 1 1/2f out, led narrowly 1f out, ridden and edged right final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Galway 1m mdn gd in Jul beating Stone Age (9-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Howth (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Soon held up, ran freely, ridden and no impression 2f out, 8th of 9, 6l behind Madonnadelrosario (9-0) at Curragh 7f hcp gd in Aug.
I Am Magic (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Keen soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 25 1/4l behind Albahr (9-1) at Salisbury 1m lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
John The Baptist (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along 2f out, 3rd and ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead on line, won at Curragh 7f mdn gd in Jul beating Shark Bay (9-5) by ns, 10 ran.
Manu Et Corde (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway and soon pushed along, ridden and dropped towards rear 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace in 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Point Lonsdale (9-5) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug.
Maritime Wings (IRE) 17-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, travelled well 2f out, ridden over 1f out and soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Point Lonsdale (9-5) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug.
Once Upon A River (IRE) 4-5fav (9-7) Made all, pushed along and clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Roscommon 7f mdn gd in Jun beating Canters Well (9-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Stone Age (IRE) 11-8 (9-7) Led, 2 lengths clear halfway, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, narrowly headed 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure, held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Buckaroo (9-7) at Galway 1m mdn gd in Jul.
