raced in moderate 6th, closer in 5th 4f out, 4th over 2f out, ridden to lead final furlong, ran on well
tracked leader in 3rd and 2nd, 2nd 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, no extra
towards rear, 9th and ridden under 3f out, no impression on leaders final furlong
soon 2nd, 3rd over 6f out, 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, no impression
held up in rear, last but going well 4f out, progress into 5th on inner 2f out, improved into 3rd 200 yards out, stayed on well into 2nd, not reach winner
in rear, 7th 3f out, ridden on outer 2 1/2f out, kept on final furlong to 5th
held up in 4th, 5th over 6f out, 6th 4f out, ridden 2 1/2f out, kept on well into 4th final furlong, never nearer
soon led, strongly pressed and ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon weakened, no extra
held up in 5th, 4th over 6f out, improved into 2nd over 2f out, briefly led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, kept on same pace
An exceptional prize which has attracted a strong line-up including Richard Fahey's SPIRIT OF THE LAW, raised 5lb for a battling success at York under a superb Paul Hanagan ride. He's never won off a mark this high but everything looks right for him to complete a double. Stony Grey should win more good races this season though his form has been on much softer ground. Chance To Dance and Eighteen Summers has met twice recently with honours even and there's very little between them again but Vastonea has the edge on the former after being narrowly beaten at the Curragh and better off at the weights. Ned's Indian is out of the weights but ran very well in that latter event after a long break and is no forlorn hope. Defining Year is very much better than his form figures suggest and he's on the shortlist along with the lightly-raced and progressive Magnolia Beach.
Chance To Dance (IRE) 6-4fav (10-0) Held up in 4th early, 3rd halfway, ridden and close up 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no extra closing stages final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Eighteen Summers (8-10) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gf.
Castle Guest (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Chance To Dance (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.
Defining Year (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division on outer early, headway on outer into 2nd halfway, ridden under 3f out, no impression from under 2f out, 9th of 16, 6l behind Table Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Jun.
Long Journey Home (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Led and soon clear, 10 lengths lead halfway, ridden and reduced advantage over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind General Brook (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd in Jun.
Magnolia Beach (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Held up, improved into 4th 1 1/2f out, challenged in 3rd 1f out where edged left, every chance final 50yds, not quite match winner, 2nd of 9, hd behind Wexford Town (8-13) at Down Royal 1m 3f 3yo hcp gf in Jun.
Vastonea (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th on outer 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Chance To Dance (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.
Spirit Of The Law (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, led again towards finish, kept on gamely, won at York 1m 1f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jun beating Busatto (9-1) by shd, 13 ran.
Eighteen Summers (USA) 4-1 (8-10) Chased leader on outer, disputed after 1 1/2f, led after 3f, ridden and narrowly headed 2f out, disputed again from 1f out, drifted slightly left inside final furlong, edged ahead closing stages, all out, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gf beating Red Rocks Point (9-7) by nk, 5 ran.
Ned's Indian (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind Chance To Dance (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.
Stony Grey (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Chased leader in 5th, ridden approaching straight and no extra from 2f out, weakened, 13th of 18, 18l behind Sir Ector (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Woodsophiesmile (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, progress on inner under 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, close 4th on inner 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Wexford Town (8-4) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
