chased leader, moderate 3rd 5f out, no extra into straight, completely tailed off
waited with in rear, closer in moderate 4th into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace in moderate 3rd from over 1f out
made all, asserted into straight, stayed on well, very easily
chased leader, moderate 3rd into straight, soon no impression under pressure
raced in 4th, went in pursuit of winner into straight, soon no impression under pressure, dropped to 4th again and kept on same pace from over 1f out
waited with, moderate 5th into straight, soon no impression, went in puruit of winner and kept on without threatening from 1 1/2f out
Despite carrying a pound overweight, the fast-improving CHAMONIX came right away from stablemate Demurely on similar ground at Galway nine days ago. Macbeth finished tailed off and though the Galileo colt has a penalty to carry here he's almost certainly the one to beat again. Tandem races beyond 1m for the first time but the trip will almost certainly suit on breeding and he's another still heading the right direction but Defining Year already appears to have had his limitations exposed at this level and Minsk hasn't been seen since finishing second in a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse in February and also steps out of handicap company for the first time.
Defining Year (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) In rear, driven along entering straight, kept on one pace without troubling principals, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Alla Speranza (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Minsk (IRE) 4-1fav (8-9) Settled in mid-division, 11th halfway, good headway into 4th early straight, smooth progress to lead 1f out, stretched clear final furlong, very easily, won at Curragh 2m hcp sft in Oct beating Cry For The Moon (9-3) by 6l, 19 ran.
Chamonix (IRE) 5-2 (9-1) Settled 3rd, progress when bumped rival halfway, led 4 1/2f out, ridden over 2f out, edged clear early straight, stayed on strongly, eased near finish, won at Galway 1m 4f Listed stks (1) hvy beating Demurely (8-11) by 6l, 5 ran.
Macbeth (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Raced in 2nd, bumped by rival halfway, ridden and lost place over 2f out, behind when eased approaching straight, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Chamonix (9-1) at Galway 1m 4f Listed stks (1) hvy.
Tandem 2-5fav (9-9) Chased leader, closed from over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1 1/2f out, stayed on well, won at Killarney 1m stks sft beating Coin Of Courage (9-9) by 3l, 5 ran.
Demurely (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, progress 2f out, in touch in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace under pressure to go moderate 2nd close home, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Chamonix (9-1) at Galway 1m 4f Listed stks (1) hvy.