close up, 3rd for much, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
soon close up, on terms from halfway, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
chased leaders last of the 6, niggled along halfway, no impression and kept on from over 1f out
soon narrow leader, headed and no impression from 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, close 4th for much, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders in 5th, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
Dandy Nicholls has won this twice recently for the UK and Robert Cowell can continue the trend with SPIRIT QUARTZ. Four times a winner in Italy, including a Group 3, he made an excellent start for his new trainer when just beaten by Fratellino in a Lingfield Listed contest last month. He'll like the going and can see off a small but strong local challenge headed by The Reaper. The latter had been going well at Meydan before returning to Cork and landing a Listed contest with a battling display under Johnny Murtagh. Santo Padre was over six lengths behind that day and hasn't won since 2009 but Katla was only just over a length behind and won a Listed contest over 6f on this track last summer. The remaining pair have plenty to find.
Spirit Quartz (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, switched to outer 3f out, hung left and ran on to go 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Fratellino (9-0) at Lingfield 5f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
The Reaper (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, all out to just hold on, won at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) gf beating Experience (8-12) by shd, 15 ran.
Balmont Mast (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Stumbled after 1f and never a factor, 12th of 15, 15l behind The Reaper (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) gf.
Katla (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, led over 1f out, strongly pressed and headed inside final furlong, no impression on first 2 final 100 yards, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind The Reaper (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) gf.
Oor Jock (IRE) (9-6) 9th of 12, 8l behind Cinderkamp (9-0) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 6f hcp gf in Jan.
Santo Padre (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on from over 1f out without troubling leaders, 7th of 15, 7l behind The Reaper (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) gf.