chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and challenged 2f out, soon headed, no extra over 1f out
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, 4th and kept on same pace inside final furlong
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 1 1/2f out, challenged 1f out, ridden to lead final 150 yards, kept on well closing stages
held up towards rear, 7th halfway, pushed along in 6th 1 1/2f out, ridden into 3rd inside final furlong, kept on closing stages
chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead under 2f out, challenged 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
Homecoming Queen won this for Ballydoyle last year before taking the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket very impressively. Snow Queen looks the best of Aidan O'Brien's pair here though her two victories were gained at a modest level and she will need to improve. She was beaten half-a-length by What Style over the course and distance in August and as that was the winner's first start she should have more scope and come out on top again. HINT OF A TINT was well supported when making a winning debut in what looked a strong maiden at the Curragh in July. The ground was very testing but she won in the style of a very nice filly and is handed the vote here. Pop Art defied her 25/1 starting price when making a winning start at Naas and she should make a nice three-year-old while Bunairgead and Rawaaq both showed enough in their first season and are likely to make further progress.
Bunairgead (IRE) 3-1fav (8-11) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd travelling well early straight, led 1 1/2f out, clear entering final furlong, kept on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo fll mdn sft in Nov beating Davanti (9-0) by 3l, 18 ran.
Greek Goddess (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Raced in 3rd, weakened from over 2f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Seolan (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2yo fll Listed stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Harmonic Note 8-1 (9-1) Chased leader early, 3rd halfway, 2nd under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Precious Stone (10-0) at Dundalk 1m fll stk pol.
Hint of A Tint (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th on stands' side rail halfway, switched right and challenged between horses to lead early final furlong, kept on well, won at Curragh 6f 2yo fll mdn hvy in Jul beating Starbright (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Liberating 16-1 (8-12) Waited with last of the 5, wide straight, ridden to chase leaders in 4th over 1f out, kept on without threatening into 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Gale Force Ten (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 3yo Listed stks (1) pol.
Rawaaq 5-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, 6th halfway, progress early straight, 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Seolan (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2yo fll Listed stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Snow Queen (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) In rear on stands' side, 11th 2 1/2f out, headway into 5th and ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Naas 6f 2yo prm hcp hvy in Oct beating Ballyorban (8-5) by nk, 12 ran.
What Style (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, stayed on to challenged inside final furlong, led inside final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo fll mdn gs in Aug beating Snow Queen (9-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Pop Art (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Very slowly away and well off pace in rear, poor 9th over 2f out, quickened well into 2nd 1f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Naas 6f 2yo fll mdn hvy in Oct beating Slope (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
