prominent, 4th 3f out, challenged from 2f out, soon slightly impeded, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
in rear, no impression under pressure from 2f out, kept on well without threatening final furlong
soon tracked leaders, close up and almost on terms from over 4f out, in front and wandered under 2f out, headed from 1f out and soon wandered about again, kept on same pace
waited with, 6th from 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure from 1 1/2f out
soon tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4f out
soon prominent, ridden to lead 3f out, headed from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
waited with, closed 3f out, challenged and led from 1f out, stayed on well
soon led, headed from 3f out, no extra from 2f out
Although the last two renewals have gone to four-year-olds, the younger generation have a very good record in the race and BACKBENCH BLUES can continue the trend. Jessica Harrington's charge handled heavy ground well when a very impressive winner of a similar event at Leopardstown and, with further progress likely, should gain his fifth success from seven starts. Tower Rock started favourite for that latter event but was reported to have finished lame and was virtually pulled up. His stablemate Frontier was also a long way behind while Aklan and Tannery were beaten far enough not to be a concern to the selection. Offer, a son of Montjeu, was a 1/9 chance when landing a Navan maiden and could be anything while the best of the older horses looks like being Sense Of Purpose despite a long absence since her run in the Park Hill at Doncaster in September where she set too strong a pace.
Defining Year (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Attempted to make all, strongly pressed and joined from over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, headed inside last, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Sharestan (9-9) at Curragh 1m 2f Listed stks (1) sft.
Rising Wind (IRE) 9-4fav (9-4) Waited with towards rear, progress into straight, 3rd under 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Livia Galilei (8-4) at Curragh 1m 4f flls hcp 60-95 sft.
Backbench Blues (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 4f out, ridden to assert early straight and clear when wandered about over 1f out, hung badly right inside final furlong, kept on, won at Leopardstown 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) hvy beating Macbeth (9-3) by 4l, 9 ran.
Aklan (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden along approaching straight, no impression on winner under 2f out, edged left under pressure and kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Backbench Blues (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) hvy.
Frontier (GER) 10-1 (9-3) Settled towards rear, never a factor, no extra approaching straight, eased when beaten from 2f out, completely tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Backbench Blues (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) hvy.
Offer (IRE) 1-9fav (9-5) Made all, pushed out to assert over 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Navan 1m 5f 3yo mdn gd in May beating Civil War (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tannery (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Settled in rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 7l behind Backbench Blues (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) hvy.
Tower Rock (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Led, headed 4f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly approaching straight, eased when beaten and virtually pulled up inside final furlong, completely tailed off (lost a shoe and lame post-race), last of 9, well behind Backbench Blues (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) hvy.
Sense Of Purpose (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 27l behind Meeznah (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 2 flls (1) gd in Sep.
Tantalising (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Prominent, close up halfway, 3rd approaching straight, 4th under 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 6l behind Livia Galilei (8-4) at Curragh 1m 4f flls hcp 60-95 sft.
