slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
soon prominent, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out
held up, ridden into 5th 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with winner
held up, headway into 5th 3f out, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace
settled mid-division, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd entering straight, 2nd 2f out, pushed out to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly to go clear final furlong, easily
chased leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to 7th 3f out, ridden and no extra 2f out
led and disputed early, chased leaders after 2f, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace from over 1f out
led and disputed early, chased leader after 2f, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
Last year's winner, the odds-on Takar, was the first three-year-old to win in eleven renewals. FLYING THE FLAG is the main entry from the younger generation this time around and he certainly deserves his place in the sun. A debut winner here last July, his next run was when runner-up in a Group 2 at the Curragh after which he's been confined entirely to Group 1's including when mid-division behind stablemate Ruler Of The World in the Derby. This looks his chance though Banna Boirche gained his first success in 24 starts on Turf at Fairyhouse and the eight-times Polytrack winner is in such good heart that he should make a bold bid. However, Along Came Casey has to be considered the main threat as he followed an easy victory in a Gowran handicap last September with a superb run behind Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes winner Declaration Of War in a Dundalk Group 3 a month later. Cougar Ridge may need the run after a long absence.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Dwelt a little, raced last of the 6, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on without getting there final furlong, 4th of 6, 1l behind Leitir Mor (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 (1).
Banna Boirche (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Soon disputed, leading halfway, ridden under 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Fairyhouse 7f stks gd beating Royal Blue Star (8-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders and 5th halfway, ridden 2f out and soon no chance with winner, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Reply (9-11) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gf.
Miracle Cure (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Soon chased leaders, 9th and no impression under pressure 1f out, kept on same pace, 11th of 23, 6l behind Fiesolana (9-2) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in May.
Along Came Casey (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Declaration Of War (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) pol in Oct.
Precious Stone (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Soon led, joined over 3f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 6th and kept on same pace 1f out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Chigun (9-0) at Curragh 1m flls Grp 3 (1) gf in May.
Cougar Ridge (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5l behind Lines of Battle (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 2yo Listed stks (1) pol in Oct.
Flying The Flag (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Led until over 9f out, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 6l behind Ruler Of The World (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
Coolnagree (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Soon mid-division, 10th 2f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 9th of 12, 6l behind Fiesolana (9-8) at Leopardstown 6f flls Group 3 stks (1).
