settled off strong pace in 3rd, closed entering straight, ridden to lead briefly early final furlong, no impression on winner final 100 yards, lame post-race
settled off strong pace in 4th, smooth headway to close entering straight, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led over 100 yards out and kept on well
chased clear leaders in 6th, some headway in 5th early straight, no extra from over 1f out
led at a strong pace, strongly pressed and headed early final furlong, no extra and weakened
chased clear leaders in 5th, never a factor, no extra under 2f out
held up in rear, ridden entering straight, 6th 1f out, kept on under pressure without troubling first 2
tracked leader in 2nd and soon clear of remainder, pushed along approaching straight, dropped to 4th under pressure 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
The reappearance of BORN TO SEA has been hugely anticipated after his defeat of Pearl In The Sand in a Listed race at the Curragh. Closely related to Sea The Stars, Galileo and Black Sam Bellamy, John Oxx's colt could hardly have made a better start and the runner-up was previously just a couple of lengths behind Group 1 winner Crusade. Lanett Lady, who finished just over five lengths behind at the Curragh, subsequently finished almost seven lengths behind Nephrite when Aidan O'Brien's colt made a very impressive debut, also at the Curragh. There's not much between the two unbeaten colts on that form and it will be a disappointment if one or the other doesn't take this. Vault has gone backwards and Seanie's defeat in a Listed contest at Dundalk doesn't look good enough.
Born To Sea (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Soon in touch towards rear, closed from 1 1/2f out, got in the clear 1f out, ridden and quickened well final furlong to lead from over 50yds out, won at Curragh 6f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Sep beating Pearl In The Sand (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Nephrite 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders on stands' side, 4th 2f out, smooth headway to lead 1f out, kept on well to draw clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn sft in Sep beating Big Blue Spirit (9-3) by 4l, 24 ran.
Seanie (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders on inner, took keen hold, 3rd halfway, headway to lead over 1f out, headed early final furlong and no extra, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Bible Black (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 2yo Listed stks (1) pol.
Vault (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, ridden to challenge briefly early straight, no extra from 1 1/2f out, 9th of 10, 6l behind Bible Black (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 2yo Listed stks (1) pol.
While You Wait (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out, 10th of 17, 26l behind Quote Of The Day (9-0) at Navan 1m 2yo mdn sft.
Aaraas 8-1 (9-0) In rear, driven along halfway, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 4th of 6, 2l behind Experience (9-0) at Curragh 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gs in Jun.
Ishvana (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Fire Lily (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) in Jul.
