Glass Slippers took the lead early in last year’s renewal and returned an impressive winner. But an outside draw has done her no favours this time and KEEP BUSY is taken to reverse latest running at the Curragh. John Quinn’s filly was only headed by Glass Slippers in the closing stages of the Group 1 Flying Five with Make A Challenge and stablemate Liberty Beach behind and won on soft ground earlier in the year. Archer's Dream looks to have a tough task at this level while Lady In France beat the selection at York earlier but finished third to Air De Valse in a Group 3 over track and trip last month with Wooded and Batwan further behind. Livachope looks next best of the home challengers.
Wooded (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Air De Valse (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Sestilio Jet (FR) (9-2) won at Lyon-Parilly 5f stks hvy in Sep beating Kentish Waltz (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Make A Challenge (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Towards rear on outer, travelling well in moderate 11th 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden in 8th 1f out, went 5th inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 14, 2l behind Glass Slippers (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Batwan (FR) (9-3) 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Air De Valse (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Air De Valse (FR) (8-11) won at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep beating Wooded (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Glass Slippers 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders on far side, pushed along in 5th 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, disputed lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep beating Keep Busy (9-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lady In France (8-11) 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Air De Valse (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Archer's Dream (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) In touch in centre, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Dream Of Dreams (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Keep Busy (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed and joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Glass Slippers (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Liberty Beach 13-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, briefly short of room under 2f out, soon ridden, 6th 1f out, no extra, 7th of 14, 3l behind Glass Slippers (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Livachope (FR) (8-13) 3rd of 7, 3l behind Kalahara (8-10) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 2 stks gs in Sep.