soon raced in rear, pushed along into straight, 5th from under 2f out, 4th and challenged inside final furlong, one pace close home
soon raced in 5th, dropped to rear from under 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong
close up, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along to challenge from 2f out, soon on terms, gained narrow lead inside final furlong and flicked tail, kept on well, joined on line
dwelt, soon close up and raced in 3rd, pushed along approaching straight and soon brought towards outer, soon challenged, stayed on well inside final furlong to dispute lead on line
soon led, pressed from 2f out, soon joined, narrowly headed inside final furlong, one pace close home
soon raced in 4th, no impression and kept on same pace under pressure in 5th inside final furlong
Rule The Waves won easily on his nursery debut at Killarney last month. But the handicapper took note and raised him 12lb. Aidan O'Brien also runs Cocoon but she's already been beaten twice in handicaps and is a pound higher than when sixth at Gowran earlier this month. INTENSE STYLE just failed to hold off Yulung Xiongba when conceding 11lb at Galway last month. The latter was only second to Rule The Waves at Killarney subsequently but Jim Bolger's charge should have the beating of today's top weight on these terms. Ernest Shackleton is making steady progress and it's no surprise that Jessica Harrington is exploring the nursery option with him now.
Rule The Waves (USA) 11-4 (9-9) Settled 6th, switched right and pushed along under 3f out, improved to narrow lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and asserted 1f out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Killarney 1m 2yo hcp gd in Aug beating Yulong Xiongba (9-1) by 5l, 7 ran.
Intense Style (IRE) 6-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, soon asserted and 2 lengths advantage 1f out, edged left under pressure and headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 5, hd behind Yulong Xiongba (8-3) at Galway 7f 2yo hcp in Aug.
Cocoon (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, short of room 2f out, went 7th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Intenser (9-0) at Gowran Park 7f 2yo hcp gd.
Ernest Shackleton (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Broke well and settled back, chased leader in 4th halfway, closer straight and kept on well into 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Archangel Raphael (9-5) at Galway 1m 2yo mdn gd.
B Cosmos (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Dwelt, rear of mid-division and carried left after 1f, pushed along in 10th halfway, no impression from over 1f out, 10th of 16, 7l behind Baldonnel (9-5) at Gowran Park 7f 2yo mdn aut gd.
Cleano 66-1 (9-0) Chased leader, 7th halfway, pushed along in 6th 2f out, kept on one pace in straight, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Archangel Raphael (9-5) at Galway 1m 2yo mdn gd.
