towards rear, moderate 6th halfway, closer entering straight, 4th under pressure early straight, no extra from over 1f out
towards rear, moderate 7th 4f out, closer entering straight, 6th on outer over 1f out, kept on well final furlong to go 2nd close home
moderate 3rd, closer in 4th approaching straight, no extra from 2f out
settled in mid-division, moderate 5th halfway, progress on outer to go 2nd entering straight, led over 1f out, soon drew clear, easily
chased clear leader in 2nd, driven along and no extra approaching straight, weakened
led, soon clear, 15 lengths lead halfway, reduced advantage approaching straight, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, no extra
moderate 4th, closer in 3rd entering straight, ridden and no chance with winner from 1f out, kept on one pace
PROFOUND BEAUTY has won this for the past two years and will be strongly fancied to complete a hat-trick despite a disappointing defeat by Tactic in the Curragh Cup. Dermot Weld's mare had earlier beaten Age Of Aquarius over this C&D and would be very difficult to beat on that form. Unity steps up to this trip for the first time and could be suited. She looked the winner of the Group 3 Noblesse Stakes over 1m4f at the Curragh last time but didn't show the resolution of the first two. Drumfire is another racing over 1m6f for the first time but he was a regular performer at this level for Mark Johnston and it remains to be seen how he copes from his new base. Shahwardi looked hugely promising in France last year but never really performed when sent to Jeremy Gask though he should get his ground for the first time. The high-class stayer Pointilliste has joined Noel Meade from France and his presence makes this very interesting.
Shahwardi (FR) 14-1 (9-3) In touch in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Laaheb (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Drumfire (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 8, 6l behind Campanologist (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Pointilliste (USA) 14-1 (9-2) 10th of 12, 14l behind Alandi (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 2m 4f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
Profound Beauty (IRE) 9-10fav (9-11) Chased leaders in 3rd, closed travelling well from before straight, ridden to challenge and on terms over 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Tactic (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Celtic Soprano (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders in moderate 3rd, 4th after halfway, ridden and weakened from 4f out, 6th of 7, 26l behind Roses For The Lady (8-12) at Navan 1m 5f Listed stks gf in Apr.
Spinning Wings (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Soon led, headed before straight, soon no extra, 12th of 15, 35l behind Fisher Bridge (8-11) at Curragh 2m hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.
Unity (IRE) 2-1fav (8-10) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in close 3rd 2f out, disputed lead briefly 1f out, kept on well final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Grace O'Malley (9-12) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Caesar's Song (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway to 3rd 2f out, ridden into 2nd 1 1/2f out, challenged inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind False Economy (10-9) at Listowel 1m 6f stks gf in Jun.
Popmurphy 33-1 (9-11) Raced well off pace in rear, went poor 4th and kept on same pace straight, 4th of 5, 17l behind Tactic (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Sense Of Purpose (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd on outer, ridden to challenge from over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Karasiyra (8-7) at Roscommon 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf.
