chased leaders, driven along 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening
disputed lead, led narrowly 2f out, asserted from over 1f out, pushed out and kept on well, reduced advantage closing stages but never under threat
disputed lead racing keenly, pushed along 2f out and soon no extra, weakened
slowly away, soon in touch, no impression in rear from under 2f out, kept on inside final furlong under tender handling
tracked leaders on far rail mainly 3rd, short of room 2f out, gap opened and went 2nd over 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner
Aidan O'Brien has won this for the past two years but complicates matters by saddling Choir, who is likely to do better over much further in time, and PROPHECY, whose pedigree suggests will be more suited to this trip as a juvenile and who gets the vote. Whip Rule is penalised for scoring at the Curragh, though he got the race in the stewards' room after being badly impeded, while the filly Naseem Sea only scrambled home at Dundalk though she showed plenty of courage and that will stand her in good stead.
Whip Rule (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along from 2f out, carried badly right inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, just failed, awarded race following stewards enquiry, won at Curragh 5f 2yo mdn sft in Mar beating Tough As Nails (9-0) by hd, 5 ran.
Choir (IRE) Danehill Dancer colt out of Singing Diva.
Hexagonal (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ran around 2f out, ridden in 4th and no extra 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Naseem Sea (8-12) at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn auc stks pol in Apr.
Prophesy (IRE) Excellent Art colt out of Race The Wild Wind.
Naseem Sea (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out and slightly hampered, ridden to narrow lead under 1f out, soon joined, just edged ahead close home, won at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn auc stks pol in Apr beating Danziger (8-12) by nk, 10 ran.
