chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd close home
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and dropped to last briefly 2f out, 3rd again 1f out, kept on to go 2nd close home
held up in touch behind leaders in last, took keen hold, ridden and went 3rd briefly 2f out, dropped to last 1f out, no extra
made all, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
Aidan O'Brien has won the last two but Dermot Weld has an even better recent record. The former is represented by Michaelmas, who makes a quick reappearance after a reasonable run behind Ansgar in a Group 3 at the Curragh on Saturday. The drop in grade gives him a chance but Weld's Tahaany is having her first start since disappointing on soft ground here in May. CHANCE TO DANCE is going from strength-to-strength and has carried some big weights to victory this season and was conceding the runner-up 13lb in a Leopardstown premier handicap last Thursday. Jim Bolger is striking while the iron is hot and another victory looks on the cards. Bold Thady Quill appears to be running better than ever despite his age and his two most recent efforts in strong handicaps suggest he won't go down without a fight.
Chance To Dance (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Raced in moderate 6th, closer in 5th 4f out, 4th over 2f out, ridden to lead final furlong, ran on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf beating Magnolia Beach (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden and progress into 9th 2f out, went 5th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Table Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Jun.
Elusive Time (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Disputed lead early, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along into straight, challenged and on terms from 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Slipper Orchid (9-9) at Fairyhouse 7f stks gf in Jun.
Michaelmas (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Ansgar (9-9) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Tahaany (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Led and disputed, ridden along over 3f out and headed 2f out, dropped to 5th over 1f and soon no impression, 5th of 9, 11l behind Tarfasha (8-9) at Naas 1m 2f flls Group 3 stks (1) in May.
