broke well and led early, tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead under 2f out, ridden and headed early final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th under 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
ran 6th, some progress early straight and 4th 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inner, switched right early straight and progress over 1f out, ridden to lead early final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders on outer, ridden and no impression in 6th under 2f out, soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
soon led, pushed along entering straight and headed under 2f out, no extra final furlong
in rear, ridden under 2f out and 6th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home
A field of progressive three-year-olds makes for a wide-open contest with only a tentative vote going the way of VOCAL RESPONSE, who made a winning handicap debut over a mile at Cork. Allography is upped 4lb for scoring at Naas while stablemate Zinat won a maiden race at Dundalk back in February. Rock In Peace beat higher rated rivals than these at Limerick but Auckland found one too good stepped up to 1m2f last time. Both Jon Ess and Nimitzboth showed improved form on their respective handicap debuts with the former scoring at Dundalk.
Rock In Peace (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Broke well to lead early, soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 1 1/2f out, soon led, kept on well final furlong, won at Limerick 7f gf in Apr beating Branch Line (9-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Jon Ess (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out and challenged 1f out, led under pressure 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in May beating Hailstone (10-1) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Allography (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Soon raced in 3rd, pushed along 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, strongly pressed and kept on well closing stages, won at Naas 1m hcp Good - Yielding in May beating Escape Clause (9-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Auckland (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and some headway early straight, 4th over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Hyperdrive (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jun.
Vocal Response (IRE) 4-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out and led over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, held on, won at Cork 1m hcp gf in May beating Honor Oak (9-8) by hd, 8 ran.
Zinat (IRE) 4-7fav (9-0) Soon led, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Feb beating Secret Memories (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Nimitz (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Towards rear, some progress on inner approaching straight, 6th 2f out, ridden and headway to lead early final furlong, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 16, nk behind Sweetasever (9-6) at Navan 1m hcp gd in Jun.