tracked leaders racing keenly, 4th halfway, ridden and went 2nd on outer over 1f out, no impression on winner and dropped to 4th closing stages
settled in rear, ridden to go 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace but no threat to winner
held up and took keen hold, 5th halfway, not clear run on inner over 2f out, gap opened well over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
slowly away, soon in touch and went 2nd before halfway, ridden to lead 2f out and asserted 1f out, driven out and kept on well final furlong
led, strongly pressed and headed 2f out, soon no extra, weakened
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Taameer was the surprise winner of this last year and though he hasn't been close to that form so far this season it wouldn't be a shock to see another big run. However, the previous three renewals were won by three-year-olds and it's that generation, in particular Aidan O'Brien's pair LEARN and Tenth Star, who look the ones to beat. The former had twice finished behind Sharestan at the Curragh before being caught on the line by Croi An Or at Killarney last week. He had Tenth Star a long way behind in the second of those events though that was his first start since finishing runner-up to Daddy Long Legs in the Royal Lodge in September and if in anything like that form he would take the world of beating. Brendan Brackan created a surprise when landing a Down Royal maiden on his debut and it would be a bigger shock if he were good enough for this.
Music In The Rain (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Soon pushed along into prominent position on outer, ridden and weakened entering straight, 16th of 18, 18l behind Below Zero (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f hcp gd in Sep.
Taameer 16-1 (9-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, some headway approaching straight and 6th 2f out, soon ridden and no extra, 9th of 14, 9l behind Back Burner (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp sft.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Soon mid-division, 6th halfway, headway in 4th 1 1/2f out, ridden to challenge and edged left 1f out, led last 150 yards, kept on well, won at Down Royal 7f mdn stks gf in Jun beating Rummaging (10-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Learn (IRE) 8-13fav (9-6) Soon led and attempted to make all, clear halfway, ridden and pressed over 2f out, joined and edged right under 1f out, stayed on well, headed near line, 2nd of 7, hd behind Croi An Or (9-4) at Killarney 1m stks.
Zelos Dream (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and went 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Bendzoldan (9-13) at Naas 7f hcp 47-65 in Jun.
Tenth Star (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Settled in rear, ridden and no impression early straight, well beaten when eased inside final furlong, last of 6, 26l behind Sharestan (9-12) at Curragh 1m Listed stks (1) sft in Jun.
