mid-division on outer, 7th halfway, pushed along 2f out and some headway over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, 3rd and ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, no extra final 100 yards
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden under 2f out and some headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ran freely, headway between horses 2f out and ridden to go 2nd 1f out, under pressure and kept on well to lead 50 yards out, headed on line
tracked leader, 4th halfway, ridden over 2f out and dropped to rear 1 1/2f out, no extra, eased final 100 yards
tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, headway on inner to lead 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to go 3rd on line
dwelt, in rear, pushed along on outer under 2f out and 8th 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong to lead on line
led, ridden over 2f out and headed 1 1/2f out, 3rd and no impression 1f out, no extra final 100 yards
always towards rear, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, never a factor
Jim Bolger sent out last year’s winner and saddles the three-year-old Laethanta Saoire but the Dundalk winner was very disappointing back on Turf at Down Royal. RAPHAEL is making a belated reappearance but Kevin Prendergast’s gelding ended the last campaign with a first victory over course and distance and may be capable of better this season. UK import Angels has been thereabouts in all starts this year and Frosty Beach and Spruce Meadows have eased to attractive marks. Star Quality was third over track and trip on her return to action and will strip fitter today.
Raphael (GER) 7-2 (9-4) Prominent early, soon settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, asserted 1f out, soon clear, eased close home, won at Naas 1m hcp gd in Sep beating Vocal Music (9-11) by 3l, 12 ran.
Star Quality 8-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, effort over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble winner, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Port Lions (9-7) at Naas 1m hcp gf in May.
Spruce Meadows (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Mid-division and 6th from halfway, ridden on outer from 2f out, no impression from 1f out and dropped to 9th inside final furlong, 9th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Perfect Tapatino (8-13) at Cork 1m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
Angels 8-1 (8-9) Chased leader and ran freely early, 4th halfway, progress to 2nd entering straight, ridden and strongly challenged leader 1f out, no impression final 150 yards, kept on same pace to 3rd on line, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Black Magic Woman (8-8) at Gowran Park 7f hcp fll gd in Jun.
Stormy Air 14-1 (9-13) Rear of mid-division, headway on outer early straight, ridden to dispute briefly 1f out, no impression final 150 yards, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Sky Moon (9-13) at Limerick 1m hcp Yielding in Jun.
Nam (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 6th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 10th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Beckwith Place (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Laethanta Saoire (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden under 4f out and no impression over 2f out, soon no extra, weakened, 9th of 12, 26 1/4l behind A Wave Of The Sea (9-10) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Frosty Beach (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, dropped to 6th halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no danger, 6th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Engles Rock (9-3) at Listowel 7f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Pillmakers Hill (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 3f out, under pressure in 3rd 2f out, kept on, edged left under 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 18, 1l behind Beckwith Place (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Footsteps At Dawn (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Soon disputed, headed after 1 1/2f, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra final furlong, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 5 1/4l behind Piper Bomb (8-11) at Roscommon 7f hcp sft in Jun.
