a little keen, towards rear, pushed along from halfway, no impression straight, no extra and eased inside final furlong
slightly impeded early, towards rear, pushed along before straight, switched right towards outer under 3f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening into 3rd close home
soon led, pushed along 2 1/2f out, soon asserted, stayed on well final furlong
led early, soon tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along 2 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, one pace
soon tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along under 3f out, chased winner in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 2 1/2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, took keen hold, soon raced in 5th, pushed along 3f out, soon no impression, no extra and eased final furlong
Dermot Weld has won two of the three renewals including with subsequent Group 3 winner Carla Bianca last year. He runs VARIABLE today and she landed the odds in good style at Cork last time and looks ready to step up to this level. Aidan O'Brien won the 2013 renewal with subsequent Irish Oaks runner-up Venus De Milo and is represented by Outstanding and Easter. The latter beat Stellar Glow a length at Leopardstown in October and Seamie Heffernan's mount should go close. The progressive Rivers Of Babylon takes on better company after winning at Navan but Wooden Heart was only beaten a couple of lengths in Listed company last time. Athassel, however, looks to have a stiff task.
Athassel (CAN) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 4l behind Law Major (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo mdn gf.
Easter (IRE) 10-3fav (8-9) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, dropped towards rear halfway, ridden 3 1/2f out, no impression in 8th over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Ramone (9-11) at Curragh 1m flls Group 3 stks (1) hvy in Mar.
Outstanding (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Prominent and led after 3f, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Naas 1m 3yo fll stks in May beating Catalyst (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 20 ran.
Rivers Of Babylon (IRE) 7-4 (9-0) Made all, ridden to assert 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Navan 1m 3yo stk gf beating Cradle Mountain (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Stellar Glow (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Led briefly early, took keen hold, prominent, soon 2nd, on terms briefly into straight, slightly impeded 2f out, soon 4th, no extra from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 16l behind Kissed By Angels (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) hvy in May.
Variable 8-11fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 4th halfway, progress to lead 1 1/2f out, soon asserted and stayed on well inside final furlong, easily, won at Cork 1m 4f 3yo fll mdn gd in May beating Sense Of Victory (9-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
Wooden Heart (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 1/2f out, stayed on into 2nd 1f out, dropped to 4th and no extra closing stages final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Radanpour (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 4f 3yo lst stk (1) gf.
