tracked leaders, good progress to be close up halfway, led over 1 1/2f out, soon clear, reduced lead and pressed inside final furlong, kept on
soon niggled along to chase leaders, ridden in moderate 3rd from halfway, 5th before straight, soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
towards rear, 6th before straight, ridden into poor 4th and kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, 4th before straight, ridden to chase winner in 2nd over 1f out, closed and chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
soon towards rear, never a factor
close up and disputed lead early, moderate 2nd from halfway, 3rd before straight, no extra from 1 1/2f out
soon close up and led, clear from halfway, reduced lead before straight, headed over 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd and no extra from over 1f out
Aidan O'Brien must be tearing his hair out over SECRETARY OF STATE but the top weight didn't do a lot wrong when runner-up for the third time behind Crimson Sunrise at Killarney latest. He should again beat third Money Spider and first-time blinkers could just inspire him enough to open his account today. French Quebec's Killarney win has been franked and he is weighted to account for third Lady Geronimo again, while Hurricane Ridge beat a couple of Ballydoyle juveniles on his debut at the same track and should improve further. The consistent Jimtown is preferred to Lonrach of the others.
Secretary Of State (IRE) 6-4fav (9-2) Always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd, led over 2f out, strongly pressed and joined 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Crimson Sunrise (8-3) at Killarney 1m 2yo hcp gd in Aug.
Hurricane Ridge (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders in 4th, niggled along into 2nd 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Killarney 1m 2yo mdn gd in Aug beating Fort Sam Houston (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Jimtown 9-1 (9-6) Prominent, close 4th entering straight, soon ridden in 2nd, kept on well final furlong without reaching winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Greek Canyon (9-7) at Gowran Park 7f 2yo hcp gf in Aug.
French Quebec (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Always prominent, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, flicked tail and headed under 1f out, rallied to regain lead near line, won at Killarney 1m 2yo fll mdn gd in Aug beating Madhmoonah (9-0) by shd, 9 ran.
Money Spider (IRE) 2-1 (8-10) Broke well and settled in 3rd, headway to dispute and every chance 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed and no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Crimson Sunrise (8-3) at Killarney 1m 2yo hcp gd in Aug.
Lady Geronimo (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led, headed before halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd from 1 1/2f out, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind French Quebec (9-0) at Killarney 1m 2yo fll mdn gd in Aug.
Lonrach (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Towards rear, progress into 5th on outer entering straight, soon ridden and no extra, 5th of 12, 5l behind Greek Canyon (9-7) at Gowran Park 7f 2yo hcp gf in Aug.
