tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and closer 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, dropped to 3rd inside final 150 yards
broke well to lead, 2 lengths clear 4f out, reduced advantage 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, driven out
held up 5th, 6th 5f out, pushed along to 3rd over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong to 2nd, not reach winner
settled 3rd, dropped to 5th under 3f out, pushed along under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong to 4th, not trouble leader
slowly into stride, raced in rear, 5th 5f out, 4th 3f out, pushed along approaching straight, dropped to last over 1f out, soon ridden, no extra and eased inside final 200 yards
raced 4th, improved to 3rd 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, driven 1 1/2f out, dropped to 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
This has been an excellent race for favourites and Dermot Weld won it three times in succession with Famous Name. The stable representative this time is Carla Bianca, who was in superb form around this trip last summer but hasn't reappeared in the same shape though she found 1m4f much too far at Cork last time. Brendan Brackan has a Group 3 victory to his credit though has generally fallen just short in this class since that victory in 2013. It's a concern that BATTLE OF MARATHON hasn't been seen since placed at the Curragh in September but he's always looked the type to do better in his second season and an entry in the Voltigeur at York suggests that could be the case so he's given the nod to make a successful return to action. Elleval's last victory was at Meydan in February of last year and he's had plenty of chances.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 3rd straight and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Tennessee Wildcat (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Carla Bianca (IRE) Evensfav (9-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon challenged, headed final 100 yards, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Words (8-9) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Elleval (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Mid-division, 5th 4f out, ridden under 3f out, improved into 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3/4l behind I'll Be Your Clown (8-7) at Navan 1m 2f hcp gf.
Piri Wango (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Raced near side, pushed along in mid-division over 3f out, soon struggling, 24th of 30, 23l behind Gm Hopkins (9-3) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Went left out of stalls, soon prominent, on terms after 2f, headed and pushed along over 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no impression and one pace inside final furlong,, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Ol' Man River (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Queen Nefertiti (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Soon led, pushed along entering straight, under pressure and headed 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd under 200 yards out, kept on same pace, joined for 3rdon line, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Ainippe (9-3) at Fairyhouse 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf.
