settled 2nd, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and dropped to moderate 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
soon led, niggled along to increase advantage after 3f, pushed along and 6 lengths clear 2 1/2f out, hung left in straight, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly, eased close home, comfortably
held up 3rd, pushed along entering straight, ridden into moderate 2nd over 1f out, ran on without threatening final furlong
The roll-call of Ballydoyle winners of this in recent years reads like a who's who of the sport with Galileo, High Chaparral, Years and Fame And Glory all taking the event before going on to bigger things. JOHN F KENNEDY is currently ante-post favourite for the Derby and there will be some head scratching at Coolmore if he's beaten after last year's exploits which included a Group 3 on this course. While that was solid if not spectacular form he'll need to win this convincingly to justify the lofty expectations held of him. Success Days has the benefit of a recent run at Cork where he ploughed through the mud to score over a mile while Zafilani's effort when third to Parish Boy on ground with some give here in October was strong enough form to give connections of the favourite something to aim at.
John F Kennedy (IRE) 4-7fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to lead under 2f out, ridden to assert and edged left 1f out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep beating Tombelaine (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Success Days (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along 3f out, driven and led narrowly 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, kept on best under pressure 150 yards out, won at Cork 1m 3yo stk 0-95 hvy beating Postulation (9-2) by 1l, 5 ran.
Zafilani (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Towards rear, 6th 3f out, headway to chase leader 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Parish Boy (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 1f 2yo lst stk (1) in Oct.
