soon led, travelling best from before straight, soon clear, stayed on well from over 1f out, easily
slow to load and slowly into stride, raced last of the 5, ridden approaching straight, switched 2f out, in pursuit of winner but no impression in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace
soon raced in 3rd, ridden in 2nd before straight, soon no impression, 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace and 3rd again close home
soon raced 4th of the 5, ridden approaching straight, in pursuit of winner but no impression 1 1/2f out, dropped to 4th again and kept on same pace close home
soon prominent, ridden in 3rd before straight, soon no impression, no extra and eased final furlong, rider reported mount ran very lethargic, found to be post race normal
FRIENDSHIP was a bit unfortunate to come up against useful rivals when runner-up at Leopardstown and Galway but made no mistake on a return to the former track a couple of weeks ago, easily accounting for Bogardus who runs earlier. The son of Galileo should improve again and can take care of Zakhm, who wasn't suited by dropping back to 6f at Naas last time. Princess Aloof has gone up 9lb for beating Bluebell at Gowran but still rates a threat and neither Glassatura, who has run in pattern races since making a winning debut at the Curragh nor another Curragh winner Fly To The Moon, can be dismissed in a tight little nursery.
Friendship (IRE) 3-10fav (9-5) Broke well and made all, asserted well over 1f out and stayed on strongly inside final furlong, easily, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gf beating Bogardus (9-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Glassatura (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Unruly at start, raced in 5th and received slight bump before halfway, ridden in 6th over 2f out and soon no extra, last of 6, 15l behind Tapestry (9-0) at Curragh 7f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gd.
Zakhm (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, close up in 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 5l behind Great White Eagle (9-0) at Naas 6f 2yo stk gd.
Fly To The Moon (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Disputed early, soon chased leader, disputed from 5f out, narrow lead halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd closing stages and no extra, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Indian Maharaja (9-3) at Tipperary 7f 2yo lst stk (1).
Princess Aloof (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Led, disputed after 3f, led over 2f out and soon pushed along, ridden 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 7f 2yo hcp gd beating Bluebell (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
