The Vatican wasn't fancied for his debut at Leopardstown in July but ran well enough behind stablemate Flying The Flag and he should win races though Joseph O'Brien has chosen the newcomer VICTORY SONG, whose blue-blooded pedigree suggests he could be exceptional. An entry in the Dante and the Derby, the half-brother to Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders is out of a classic placed mare from the family of Galileo and Sea The Stars. Pay Day Kitten attracted little support on her opening run at the Curragh in October but gave supporters of the long odds-on Kingdom a real fright and it's difficult to imagine her not being involved in the finish. Kevin Manning chooses the newcomer Teochrios of Jim Bolger's pair and she could be smart while Jan Van Eyck had some decent form in his opening campaign though he'll need to have improved over the winter.
Bunreacht (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Soon well off pace in mid-division, 7th and no impression from before straight, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 17l behind We'll Go Walking (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 4f 3yo mdn gd.
Jan Van Eyck (USA) 4-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th halfway, no impression over 3f out, 6th of 9, 17l behind Leading Light (9-5) at Tipperary 1m 1f 2yo mdn hvy in Oct.
The Vatican (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along in 4th before halfway, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace without troubling first 2, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Flying The Flag (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo stk gs in Jul.
Victory Song (IRE) Dansili colt out of All Too Beautiful.
Pay Day Kitten (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden 2f out, went 2nd under 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to strongly press winner to line, 2nd of 6, nk behind Kingdom (9-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn hvy in Oct.
Teochrios (IRE) Teofilo filly out of Tamra Delight.
