chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up in last, ridden along entering straight, went moderate 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders in 4th early, 3rd before halfway, ridden along disputing 3rd 3f out, went 2nd on outer 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leaders in 3rd, 4th before halfway, close up disputing 3rd when ridden along 3f out, soon no impression on leaders, eased from 1 1/2f out, tailed off
led, ridden and headed 2f out, under pressure disputing 2nd when checked 1f out, weakened final furlong
A small but select field with all five entries closely matched. The Vatican created a good impression at the Curragh though the fact that he's in blinkers this time is a bit of a concern while Dr Funkenstein will need to improve on his victory at the Curragh but is progressing quickly enough to take a hand. St Jean landed a Curragh maiden by 16 lengths before a fair effort in a top handicap there while Morning With Ivan has already won three times this year, though could just find the ground a bit lively. LEVANTO stepped up from a mile to land a 1m4f Curragh handicap but he'd earlier scored at Dundalk so this trip should prove ideal and he's handed the vote.
Dr Funkenstein (IRE) 6-4fav (9-5) Soon prominent in chasing group, in pursuit of leader over 3f out, still plenty to do over 2f out, closed and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Curragh 1m mdn stks gf in Jun beating One True Love (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
St Jean (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, no impression from 1 1/2f out,, 6th of 12, 9l behind Dabadiyan (8-11) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
The Vatican (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Soon led, joined and reminder approaching straight, pressed from over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f mdn stks gf in Jun beating Al Destoor (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Levanto (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Chased leaders, closed travelling well straight, led and drifted left from over 1f out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well, just held on, won at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo hcp 60-90 gf in Jun beating Zarkiyr (9-2) by shd, 10 ran.
Morning With Ivan (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, gained narrow lead over 2f out, headed and 3rd 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Edith Cowan (9-1) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gf.
