raced far side group and tracked leaders, effort in 2nd from over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong and dropped to 3rd close home
slowly into stride, soon led far side group, joined under 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, one pace after
bumped start, waited with near side, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong
close up near side group, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
took keen hold and tracked leaders near side, one pace 1f out
dwelt, waited with near side, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
raced far side group and prominent, on terms under 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
waited with near side group, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
tracked leaders near side, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
dwelt, raced far side group and took keen hold, tracked leaders, one pace 1f out
close up near side group, no extra from over 1f out
bumped rival start, took keen hold, soon tracked leaders near side, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
dwelt, raced up the centre and towards rear, one pace from over 1f out
close up near side group, lost place from halfway, weakened from over 1f out
tracked leaders near side, one pace 1f out
dwelt, soon tracked leaders near side, kept on without threatening winner inside final furlong, 2nd close home
slightly impeded start, waited with near side group, one pace from over 1f out
close up near side group, no extra from over 1f out
waited with near side group, one pace from over 1f out
raced far side group and tracked leaders, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
EMPIRE STATE was undoubtedly disappointing in his first campaign and was beaten when odds-on at Dundalk in October. He doesn't look one to take a short price about but the lack of credible opposition suggests this could be his day. Baladiya has comparable form but over a mile so it's a surprise to see him dropping down in trip while stall 18 isn't ideal for Sonaiyla, who caught the eye over the course and distance in October, but Western Dawn has an inside berth and showed plenty of pace when tackling 7f here in September. Ruby Walsh rides Castletownshend for his father but his mount didn't show enough last season after a very promising debut over course and distance in 2017.
Castletownshend (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, soon raced in 8th, pushed along 2 1/2f out, soon no impression, one pace, 6th of 11, 14 1/2l behind Alanannda (9-0) at Sligo 7f mdn Yielding in May.
Twenty Minutes 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division early, 6th from halfway, pushed along before straight, soon effort, kept on without matching principals final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 3/4l behind The Game Of Life (9-3) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb.
Born In The U S A (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Towards rear, no impression 2f out, kept on without threatening, 12th of 19, 18 3/4l behind Third Of March (9-0) at Navan 6f mdn Yielding in Oct.
Empire State (USA) 4-5fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, pushed along early and soon mid-division, short of room briefly in 6th 2f out, soon ridden, close 3rd 1f out, disputed lead inside final furlong, no extra and headed close home, 3rd of 14, shd behind Excelcius (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Oct.
Jensons Joy (IRE) Elzaam colt out of Just One Look.
Kattani (IRE) Tamayuz gelding out of Katiola.
Western Dawn (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Prominent, lost position from 2f out, no extra final furlong, 11th of 16, 15 1/2l behind Old Glory (9-5) at Naas 7f mdn gd in Sep.
Wexford Land (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Soon raced in 5th, 4th halfway, effort straight, soon 3rd and no impression, dropped to 4th again and kept on same pace closing stages, 4th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Constantinople (9-5) at Thurles 1m mdn gf in Oct.
Baladiya (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong without threatening, 4th of 19, 6 1/4l behind Turnberry Isle (9-5) at Naas 1m mdn Yielding in Nov.
Bionic Tonic Coach House filly out of Style Award.
Gin Bramble (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra, 12th of 14, 14 1/2l behind Lafayette Hill (9-0) at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Dec.
Ho Ho Bird (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Quick away, soon disputed lead, headed approaching halfway, soon 3rd, impeded under 2f out, no extra and one pace after, 11th of 20, 13 1/4l behind Angelic Light (9-0) at Curragh 6f mdn fll Good - Yielding in Aug.
Knockgraffon Lass (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along and no impression after halfway, no extra under 2f out, 14th of 18, 17 1/4l behind Rainbow Moonstone (9-0) at Naas 6f mdn fll Good - Yielding in Oct.
Lily Lily Rose (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and some headway under 2f out, no impression 1f out, no extra final furlong, 9th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Kiss For Luck (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Nov.
Philipine Cobra Showcasing filly out of Lavender And Lace.
Sonaiyla (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, pushed along and headway on outer 2f out, 5th 1f out and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 4 1/4l behind Rainbow Moonstone (9-0) at Naas 6f mdn fll Good - Yielding in Oct.
Sweet Forgetme Not (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) In touch, 8th over 3f out, weakened quickly under 3f out, 17th of 19, 23 1/4l behind Turnberry Isle (9-5) at Naas 1m mdn Yielding in Nov.
Undeniable Fact (IRE) Camacho filly out of Ride For Roses.
Vocal Impact (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Raced far side group, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 14th of 20, 9 1/4l behind Chestnut Express (9-0) at Naas 6f mdn fll gd in Sep.
Wondrous Scene (IRE) Acclamation filly out of Rock Exhibition.
Force Of Cashen (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division on outer, ridden early straight and no extra under 2f out, last of 13, 14 1/4l behind Empire Line (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Feb.
Peddlers Pass (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along 2f out and kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 16, 10l behind Most Gifted (9-0) at Cork 7f mdn fll gd in May.
Cactus Tree (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Towards rear of stands' side group, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, never a factor, last of 20, dist behind Erich Bloch (9-5) at Naas 6f mdn Yielding in Nov.
