chased leaders in 5th, ridden in 5th over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in rear on outer, took keen hold early, hung to outer 3f out and soon pushed along, last and no impression 2f out, soon eased
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no impression
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along on outer in 4th 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on steadily without threatening inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along in 6th on inner 2f out, 5th 1f out, headway inside final furlong, stayed on well to go 2nd close home
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, headed 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd close home
chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, led 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
Spirit of Valor stayed on gamely to catch Imagine If at Naas and the latter has won subsequently while stable-companion Taj Mahal finally came good in a Dundalk nursery though had earlier only been beaten a head by Yucatan at the Curragh. HOLISTIC APPROACH came with a late burst to score over 6f at the Curragh and today's longer trip can enable him to complete a double. Territory was well supported to make a successful debut at Naas last month and had no problems doing so while Born To Be was staying on over 6f in a Listed contest at Fairyhouse and will be suited by the better ground. Spanish Tenor's Cork form could be given a boost by the performance of runner-up Clongowes earlier in the day.
Born To Be (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Soon raced in 4th, no impression from 2f out, kept on well without threatening final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Moonlit Show (8-12) at Fairyhouse 6f lst stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Holistic Approach (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Dwelt and towards rear early, improved to track leaders before halfway where 4th, 3rd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Curragh 6f mdn Good - Yielding in Oct beating Ice Canyon (9-5) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Pipes Of Peace (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Soon led, joined over 2f out, ridden and regained lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong and kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Radio Silence (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f gd in Jul.
Spanish Tenor (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, progress to lead over 2f out, asserted over 1f out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Cork 7f mdn sft in Oct beating Clongowes (9-5) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Spirit of Valor (USA) 8-13fav (9-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along to lead over 1f out, ridden final 150 yards and edged right, kept on best, won at Naas 6f mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Imagine If (9-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Taj Mahal (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Chased leaders, disputed briefly after 1f, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, drifted right inside final furlong, kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct beating Twist Of Magic (8-10) by 1l, 12 ran.
Making Light (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 4th 2f out, travelled smoothly to lead and edged right 1 1/2f out, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong to go clear, easily, won at Limerick 7f mdn fll sft in Oct beating Fast Bid (9-0) by 8l, 14 ran.
Confrontational (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2 1/2f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Childhood (8-9) at Naas 6f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Territory (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Chased leader in 2nd, progress to lead 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Naas 7f mdn Yielding in Sep beating Saltonstall (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
