tracked leaders on outer in 4th, ridden and no extra early straight, weakened
tracked leader in 2nd, led halfway, strongly pressed early straight, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure but not match winner
settled in 5th, ridden entering straight, some headway and close 4th when short of room inside final furlong
led, headed halfway, ridden entering straight, soon no extra and dropped to 5th over 1f out
settled in rear, headway on outer early straight, edged slightly left and led inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders in 3rd, took keen hold, squeezed between horses to challenge over 1f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd inside final furlong
DEIRE NA SLI is the only three-year-old in the field but has plenty in her favour. Jim Bolger's filly ran her best race to date at Cork on Sunday when just a short-head behind Bold Thady Quill in an all-aged handicap and she looks capable of going one better here. The recent fast ground has brought out the best in Casbah Rock but he's 10lb higher than for his latest success at Navan and this is tougher. Penthesilea Eile chased Leceile all the way at Naas and as that was only her second start since October she looks certain to improve and Strandfield Lady, who was a long way behind, looks held.
Elusive Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, led from halfway, strongly pressed from early straight, headed 1f out, soon no extra, 4th of 13, 5l behind Mountain Pride (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd.
Casbah Rock (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Made all, travelling well over 2f out, pushed out and kept on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Navan 1m 2f hcp 50-80 gf beating Mundher (9-11) by 3l, 9 ran.
Duc De Savoie (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 11th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight, 17th of 19, 14l behind Moran Gra (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m ext hcp gf in May.
Lonesome Maverick (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, headway in 6th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Zerashan (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 4f ext hcp gf in May.
Strandfield Lady (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight without threatening, 6th of 11, 16l behind Leceile (9-12) at Naas 1m 2f fll hcp 50-80 gf.
Deire Na Sli (IRE) 3-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, driven along early straight, headway under pressure to challenge between horses inside final furlong, disputed and every chance closing stages, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Bold Thady Quill (8-5) at Cork 1m 1f hcp gd.
Penthesilea Eile (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer in 3rd 2f out, driven along and no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure to go 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Leceile (9-12) at Naas 1m 2f fll hcp 50-80 gf.
