tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead at halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
in rear, ridden in 7th entering straight, went 5th 1f out, no extra
mid-division, short of room behind leaders 2f out, ridden and went 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
dwelt, soon mid-division on outer, ridden 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders, checked early, ridden in 4th 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 5th entering straight, kept on without threatening in 3rd close home
led, took keen hold, joined at halfway, ridden entering straight, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
dwelt, towards rear, no impression from 2f out, never a factor
Mass Gathering won a course and distance claimer last month and found 5f too sharp at Down Royal on Friday. Craft Irish, a winner at Dundalk in February, also ran at Down Royal where he ran well behind National Gallery while It Might Be You is another to have performed at that fixture having stayed on in a handicap over the minimum. Lopes Gold has yet to win and is only slowly dropping in the ratings but CNODIAN (NAP) has returned to action in fine form having followed a close second at Fairyhouse with a victory at Limerick. Willie McCreery's filly can defy a 5lb rise as Pandemic Princess has gained both career victories at Dundalk.
Craft Irish (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, some headway on outer early straight, 5th 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace in 4th final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind National Gallery (9-3) at Limerick 7f gd in Jun.
Pretty Smart (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Dwelt slightly, soon rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, switched right over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no danger, 6th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Amirat Alward (9-4) at Listowel 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Lopes Gold (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Coumshingaun (9-3) at Listowel 6f mdn fll Yielding in Jun.
Shining Crystal 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division and pushed along in 6th from halfway, lost place and ridden on outer from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 9th of 17, 9 1/2l behind Areille (10-0) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Cnodian (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, travelling well in 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out and led narrowly 1f out, asserted final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Limerick 7f hcp gd in Jun beating Cleveleys (9-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mass Gathering (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, close up after 2f, ridden to dispute 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, no extra closing stages, 6th of 8, 4l behind Collective Power (9-7) at Down Royal 5f hcp Yielding in Jun.
It Might Be You (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Disputed early, tracked leaders after 1f, 5th halfway, ridden to close 1 1/2f out, pressed leaders inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 4th of 12, 3l behind Tiny Bit (9-6) at Down Royal 5f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Cherry Bloom (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division and 10th from halfway, pushed along from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 10th of 17, 11 1/2l behind Areille (10-0) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Vento Del Drago (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, pushed along from early, weakened from 3f out and soon eased, last of 30, dist behind Markievicz (8-7) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Pandemic Princess (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) In touch, 3rd halfway, improved to lead over 2f out, headed and ridden over 1f out, lost place and weakened under 1f out, 9th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Walking On Clouds (9-8) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gd in May.