pushed along early to gain prominent position, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden approaching straight and soon no extra, weakened
settled towards rear on inner, pushed along approaching straight, headway into 3rd and tried to switch right 2f out, challenged on far rail 1f out and led 150 yards out, kept on best under pressure
led, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, headed 150 yards out and dropped to 3rd, kept on same pace under pressure
held up in rear, headway entering straight and went 4th under 2f out, ridden and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders and 5th halfway, pushed along 4f out and no impression in 5th well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd briefly entering straight and pushed along when checked 2f out, soon dropped to 6th and no extra
Aidan O'Brien has won three of the last four so HEIRLOOM is likely to have been targeted at the race. A 480,000gns yearling, he ran very well behind the stable's Irish Oaks runner-up Venus De Milo at Fairyhouse before easily landing a Dundalk maiden and looks capable of a much higher rating than he's running with here. Giant's Quest has been going very well over hurdles and is another likely to improve his rating on the Flat while Leah Claire has won eight of her 50 races and can never be discounted at this sort of level. Zafarqand is probably the main threat despite still being a maiden as he was making his handicap debut when a close second to Kingdom at Fairyhouse.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Always behind, 21st of 27, well behind Voleuse De Coeurs (9-1) at Curragh 2m hcp hvy in Oct.
Leah Claire (IRE) 2-1fav (9-10) Waited with well off the pace towards rear, some progress in 7th into straight, no impression under pressure from 2f out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 14, 9l behind Mourani (8-10) at Curragh 1m 4f app stks gf in Jun.
Zafarqand (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, went 2nd 1f out, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Kingdom (9-2) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp gf.
Cebuano 12-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, effort 3f out, soon no impression, never a factor, 9th of 12, 15l behind Dabadiyan (8-11) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Heirloom 9-10fav (9-5) Settled in 7th, ridden and headway between horses to lead 1f out, driven out to assert inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol beating Ebadani (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Donatis Comet (IRE) 10-3 (8-8) Held up in 5th early, 4th halfway, pushed along into 3rd 3f out, soon 2nd, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, challenged inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Knockcroghery (8-3) at Bellewstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gf.
Baracas (FR) 33-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden straight, 13th over 1f out, stayed on closing stages, 9th of 23, 10l behind Bright Horizon (8-7) at Curragh 2m ext hcp in Sep '10.
Giant's Quest (AUS) 13-2 (8-11) Soon chased leaders, well off the pace, moderate 5th before straight, moderate 3rd over 2f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 11l behind Captainofthefleet (8-9) at Clonmel 2m hcp 60-90 sft in May.
