mid-division and on outer 5th halfway, took closer order over 2f out and soon improved to challenge, ridden in 2nd and every chance from 1f out, no impression and dropped to 3rd close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along to challenge from 2f out and ridden to lead from 1f out, strongly pressed inside final 50 yards and headed final strides
towards rear on inner and 7th halfway, pushed along from 2f out, switched to outer and ridden in 6th from 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
slightly slow into stride and soon in rear, pushed along from halfway and soon no impression, eased from 2f out
soon towards rear and 8th halfway, pushed along on outer from 2f out and soon ridden, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
mid-division and 4th on inner halfway, short of room from 2f out, in clear and pushed along in 6th 100 yards out, kept on strongly to go 4th close home
slightly slow into stride, soon improved into mid-division and 6th halfway, pushed along from 2f out and soon ridden, 7th on outer from 1f out, kept on strongly inside final furlong to lead final strides
soon disputed lead, pushed along from 2f out and soon ridden, headed from 1f out, no extra and dropped to 5th inside final furlong
soon disputed lead, pushed along from 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong
Dragon Of Malta, the only course and distance winner, is 10lb higher than his victory at Leopardstown in September. Earls ended last season scoring over the trip at Naas and has run well in his three starts this campaign. He's only 3lb higher than that last winning mark and holds Half Nutz on their run over 6f at Naas in May, though the latter was staying on over just shorter on this track last month. BAND WIDTH landed a Sligo maiden in May and an auction race back there last month, both over 6f. His pedigree suggests he should be even better over this trip and can gain win number three. Chambery Prince made a very encouraging handicap debut over a mile here last month when only weakening in the closing stages.
Half Nutz (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final 150 yards, nearest at finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind National Gallery (9-3) at Limerick 7f gd in Jun.
Earls (IRE) 18-5 (9-10) Eld up in mid-division, ran freely, improved to track leader after 2f, led halfway, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and pressed 1f out, headed 150 yards out, no impression, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Plunkett (9-11) at Leopardstown 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
Eloquent Arthur 8-1 (8-12) Fly-leapt and slowly away, 8th halfway, pushed along in 8th when not clear run and hampered over 1f out, switched left 1f out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Magic Chegaga (9-6) at Limerick 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Sky Dweller 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and lost place before 2 out, weakened, tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Some Dove (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m mdn gd in Jun.
Improving (IRE) 80-1 (9-2) Mid-division in stands' side group, lost place and under pressure 1 1/2f out, slightly hampered over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 16th of 22, 11 1/4l behind Rough Diamond (9-7) at Naas 6f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Band Width (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, took keen hold, headway 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Sligo 6f gd in Jun beating Messa Concertata (9-3) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dairerin 14-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sablonne (9-7) at Naas 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Chambery Prince (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Prominent, tracked leaders after 1f, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Magic Chegaga (9-6) at Limerick 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Rock Etoile (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Led group of three on far side, ridden and weakened quickly 2f out, last of 22, 36 1/2l behind Shawaamekh (10-4) at Cork 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Dragon Of Malta (IRE) 28-1 (9-3) Mid-division, raced keenly, 7th halfway, pushed along 2f out, no extra over 1f out, last of 10, 9 3/4l behind Magic Chegaga (9-6) at Limerick 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Numoor 16-1 (9-7) Wards rear and pushed along early, ridden in 9th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Plunkett (9-11) at Leopardstown 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
