chased leaders and took keen hold, 5th halfway, progress entering straight, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd early, 3rd after 3f, ridden along in 3rd entering straight, headway to lead 1 1/2f out, went clear 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, comfortably
held up in 5th and took keen hold briefly early, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
chased leaders in 4th early, improved into 2nd after 3f, ridden over 3f out, dropped to moderate 4th 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden in moderate 5th over 2f out, went moderate 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra
led, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong
Jim Bolger has won three and Dermot Weld two of the last six renewals. The latter has Zhukova engaged and she was having only her fifth start when an impressive winner of a Listed event at the Curragh last month though the older generation don't have a good record in this and along with Bocca Baciata, who was a long way behind her at the Curragh but has since won a Listed race at Gowran, she may struggle. Bolger is represented by Glamorous Approach though she's been beaten by Queen Blossom and PRETTY PERFECT this season and it's difficult to see a form reversal. Queen Blossom was nowhere near her best in the very heavy ground when her old rival won the Salsabil at Navan but the winner is a genuine Oaks prospect and should have the edge over stable companion How High The Moon, though she could also enhance her Epsom prospects with a big run.
Bocca Baciata (IRE) 6-4fav (9-12) Dwelt slightly, held up towards rear, ridden to progress on outer 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well, eased close home and just held on at line, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f lst fll stks (1) gd in Apr beating Discipline (8-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Zhukova (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leader in 2nd, slightly hampered over 2f out, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, soon disputed, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong and asserted closing stages, won at Curragh 1m 2f lst stks (1) hvy in Apr beating Success Days (9-10) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Queen Blossom (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Raced in 4th early, soon disputed 3rd, pushed along under 3f out, no impression 2f out, 5th of 6, 14 1/2l behind Pretty Perfect (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Glamorous Approach (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, challenged from over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Pretty Perfect (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
How High The Moon (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, moderate 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Coolmore (9-0) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) Good - Yielding in Sep.
Pretty Perfect (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Made all, pushed along under 3f out, strongly pressed from over 2f out, stayed on best to assert inside final furlong, won at Navan 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr beating Glamorous Approach (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
