led, strongly pressed and joined 1f out, regained lead from 100yds out, kept on well
soon raced in 4th, closed up travelling smoothly straight, bumped slightly 2f out, ridden to challenge and on terms 1f out, headed and kept on without quite matching winner from 100yds out
soon raced in 3rd, effort when bumped 2f out, not match front pair when not much room and switched right under 1f out, kept on same pace
waited with behind leaders, effort on outer straight, no extra from over 1f out
soon in rear, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression
soon raced in 2nd, pushed along before straight, bumped 2f out, soon lost position and one pace
dwelt, waited with behind leaders, switched right 2f out and progress, kept on without matching principals final furlong
Aidan O'Brien has won the last two of these and CHRISTMAS looked worthy of a step-up in grade when easily landing a Roscommon maiden. He has some major future entries and can justify them here. His stable also run Mona Lisa's Smile, who was well beaten in a Curragh maiden last month. Highland Fortune has to be a major threat as he followed his impressive victory over this trip at Leopardstown with a staying-on fourth in the Group 2 Railway Stakes over 6f at the Curragh. Chicago May was a 25/1 chance on her debut at Naas last month but belied her odds with a very impressive victory and deserves her elevation into this company. Vallambrosa landed a Fairyhouse maiden but couldn't make the step-up to Group 3 company at Leopardstown. The remaining pair will need to improve to get into contention.
Christmas (IRE) 4-11fav (9-5) Soon led, pushed along over 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Roscommon 7f mdn gf in Jul beating Mofakker (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Highland Fortune (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Soon towards rear in 6th, pushed along and progress from halfway, kept on without matching principals from 1 1/2f out, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Van Beethoven (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Wargrave (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Bumped with rival leaving stalls, raced in 4th early, challenged and almost on terms approaching straight, disputed lead closing stages, soon headed and not match winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Zander (9-5) at Galway 7f mdn Yielding in Jul.
Chicago May (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division and 6th from halfway, progress on outer from 3f out and pushed along to challenge from 2f out, led from 1f out and kept on well closing stages, comfortably, won at Naas 7f mdn gf in Jul beating Channel Stuffer (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mona Lisa's Smile (USA) 6-1 (9-0) In touch, dropped to 12th and pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened 1 1/2f out, 12th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Chocolate Music (9-0) at Curragh 6f mdn fll gf in Jul.
Syrena (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Led, headed 3f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, no impression on easy winner 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 21, 6l behind Foxtrot Liv (9-0) at Curragh 7f mdn fll gf in Aug.
Vallambrosa (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon raced towards rear, 6th after 2f, ridden over 1f out, no impression on leaders, kept on, never a factor, 5th of 6, 5 1/4l behind Skitter Scatter (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gf in Jul.
