tracked leaders, challenged under pressure and led 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led inside first couple of furlongs, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd for much, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out
led early, tracked leader, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out
chased leaders, struggling from early, no impression from halfway
towards rear for most, no impression straight
chased leaders, struggling from early, moderate 5th halfway, no impression straight
towards rear, progress halfway, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace under pressure without threatening from 2f out
Tommy Stack sent Croi An Or to Dundalk for his debut in November and he ran very well after missing the break. Aidan O'Brien's Great Ruler was a long way behind in the same race and though both are certain to have benefited from the run DIPLOMAT looks the one to be on. Dermot Weld's colt showed the benefit of his opening run at Navan in October with a very good effort on the same track a fortnight later and, with those runs under his belt, the Irish 2000 Guineas entry can take this. Lord Jim has only raced on soft ground so far but has done enough to suggest he won't be long in winning though he may have to wait for a handicap.
Croi An Or (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, ridden 2f out, 9th over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Capeslew (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn auc stks pol in Nov.
Diplomat (USA) 3-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd under 2f out, ridden into 2nd and pressed leader 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Tower Rock (9-5) at Navan 1m 2yo mdn sft in Oct.
Great Ruler (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, weakened entering straight, 10th of 13, 12l behind Capeslew (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn auc stks pol in Nov.
Lord Jim (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Always prominent, led halfway, asserted 2f out, kept on under pressure, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra closing stages, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Foot Soldier (9-0) at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn sft in Sep.
Monatogher (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, no extra from 2f out, 10th of 13, 19l behind Foot Soldier (9-0) at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn sft in Sep.
Phils Wish (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Never a factor, 20th of 24, 37l behind Nephrite (9-1) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn sft in Sep.
Saga Eiger (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 6th early, no impression from 2f out, 9th of 15, 22l behind Amira's Prince (9-5) at Curragh 1m 3yo mdn.
The Lost Legion (IRE) Whipper colt out of The Real Thing.
