towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression early straight, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight and ridden to challenge under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
ran 5th, pushed along and no impression early straight, soon no extra, weakened, eased inside final furlong
led, pushed along entering straight, soon strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, took keen hold early, 3rd halfway, lost place entering straight, switched left in 5th and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead 100 yards out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway on outer approaching straight, travelled well and led over 1f out, soon ridden and headed 100 yards out, no impression on winner, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, headway on inner early straight and ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Sir Erec, just touched off on heavy ground at Leopardstown in April, didn't reappear until August when making most over 1m2f at the Curragh. He's by Camelot and bred for this sort of trip and further so has to be respected. His stable companion Fightfortheroses is related to Derby winner Pour Moi and plenty of other winner so is expected to improve greatly from his Naas maiden success. The King comes out best at the weights on official ratings and though undoubtedly disappointing this season he's been racing on unsuitably fast ground after last year's maiden victory on heavy going at Gowran. TWILIGHT PAYMENT hasn't raced over a trip this short since winning at the Curragh in 2016. He's admirably consistent at a higher level and can see off the attentions of On The Go Again, who was six lengths behind him at Down Royal in the summer.
On The Go Again (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division early, 8th after 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along before straight on inner, soon no impression, last of 14, 31 1/2l behind Ballyoisin (10-10) at Listowel 2m hcp sft in Sep.
Twilight Payment (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead approaching straight, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure, headed 150 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Cypress Creek (8-13) at Naas 2m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
The Tartan Spartan (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 19 1/2l behind Nearly Caught (9-6) at Newmarket 2m lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Fightfortheroses (IRE) Evensfav (9-5) Soon led, pressed from 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, eased near finish, won at Naas 1m 4f mdn gd in Oct beating Crecerelle (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Sir Erec (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Soon led, strongly pressed from 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f mdn Good - Yielding in Aug beating Jassaar (9-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
The King (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Soon raced in 5th, pushed along before straight, soon effort on outer, kept on well without matching 1st 2 inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Rostropovich (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Sep.
Jaega (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 9th of 11, 15 3/4l behind Broadway (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 1f Grp 3 fll stks (1) hvy in Sep.
