tracked leaders mainly 3rd, ridden 2f out, no impression on easy winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace
made all, asserted over 1f out, pushed out and stretched clear final furlong, impressive
tracked leaders mainly 4th, ridden 2f out, soon switched right and bumped rival, no impression and repeatedly bumped into rival inside final furlong
took keen hold and settled back in rear, pushed along under 2f out, bumped over 1f out, no impression and repeatedly bumped into rival inside final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no chance with winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace
Six winners here including Richard Hannon's Lilbourne Lad, the winner of a Doncaster maiden that hasn't worked out before beaten at odds-on at Newmarket. Greek Canyon left modest Polytrack form behind to score on soft ground at Cork but French Emperor improved greatly for his run behind today's rival Snowflake Dancer at Dundalk when storming away over today's trip at Leopardstown. The latter lost nothing in defeat to Orchestra Leader at Navan subsequently but Raphael Santi appeared well suited to 7f at Gowran and could find REQUINTO too speedy. Clearly better for his debut at Leopardstown, David Wachan's Dansili colt, who is out of the brilliantly fast Damson, made all for an impressive success at Cork and will be difficult to catch here.
French Emperor (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn aut gf in May beating Perfect Godess (8-1) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lilbourne Lad (IRE) 4-6fav (9-5) Disputed lead until led over 2f out, soon joined, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind B Fifty Two (9-2) at Newmarket 6f 2yo nov stk (4) gf in May.
Raphael Santi (IRE) 1-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders on outer, outpaced briefly halfway, 3rd entering straight, led under 2f out, soon clear, jinked right under 1f out, kept on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 7f 2yo mdn gf in May beating Lonrach (8-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Requinto (IRE) 1-2fav (9-0) Made all, stretched clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Cork 5f 2yo stk gd in Apr beating Ishvana (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Snowflake Dancer (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Led and disputed, ridden and headed over 1f out, slight hampered, kept on final furlong to 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Orchestra Leader (9-0) at Navan 6f 2yo aut gf in May.
Greek Canyon (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Soon disputed lead, definite leader and stayed on best under pressure from 1f out, won at Cork 6f 2yo mdn sft in May beating Busalla (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
