tracked leader in 2nd, led after 4f, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably
settled behind leaders in 3rd, closer halfway, 2nd 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, no impression winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led early, headed after 4f, 3rd 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra in rear 1 1/2f out, weakened final furlong
settled in rear, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Aidan O'Brien still has 31 entered in the Derby and half-a-dozen of them were entered here. He relies on BATTLE OF MARENGO, who appears to be their leading contender at the moment and who puts his Epsom credentials on the line against a couple of worthy opponents. His victory over Sugar Boy in the Ballysax here last month sets the standard and he has a fitness advantage over his two main rivals. Jim Bolger already has the short-priced favourite for Epsom in Dawn Approach so it will be very interesting to see how Loch Garman gets on here. Twice a winner on heavy ground over a mile, including the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud, his pedigree suggests this could be his trip rather than Epsom. First Cornerstone won the Group 2 Futurity at the Curragh before a reasonable effort in the Racing Post Trophy. He's much more likely to stay further than this and has to be of interest. Dont Bother Me was by no means disgraced in the 2000 Guineas and Little White Cloud can build on the experience gained at Dundalk in November.
Battle Of Marengo (IRE) 8-13fav (9-8) Settled 4th and kept wide early, headway entering straight and led 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr beating Sugar Boy (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Loch Garman (IRE) (8-13) won at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m Phoenix Stks hvy in Nov beating Anna's Pearl (8-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dont Bother Me (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 3f out, not troubled leaders, 8th of 13, 10l behind Dawn Approach (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
Little White Cloud (IRE) 8-11fav (9-5) Always prominent, got to the front under pressure inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov beating Mischief N Mayhem (9-0) by 1l, 14 ran.
First Cornerstone (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly over 2f out, driven over 1f out, unable to quicken entering final furlong, no impression and one pace after, 4th of 7, 4l behind Kingsbarns (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
