blind-folds and Monty Roberts rug for stalls entry, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression, dropped to rear and eased from over 1f out
chased leaders, 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear for most, no impression from 2f out
tracked leaders, challenged and led 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
waited with in rear, closer in 6th 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
close up, keen hold, led inside first 3 furlongs, headed 2f out, dropped to 5th and no extra 1f out
led, headed inside first 3 furlongs but remained close up, 4th 2f out, 3rd and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, in pursuit of eventual 2nd from under 2f out, ridden to gain narrow lead and stayed on well inside final furlong
Andy Oliver complicates proceedings here by saddling three, all seemingly with decent chances. Risk Return hasn't been seen since beaten seven lengths into second at Navan last October but both Tax Reform and Conversational ran last week with preference just for the former, who couldn't cope with Lady O Malley at Ballinrobe but who had earlier run Sister Slew close at Galway. Dragon Fei made a very encouraging debut here last month and can't have been at her best when virtually tailed off at Wexford a couple of weeks later. LAPIS BLUE didn't show much on her debut but did much better behind Wannabee Better at Naas so, with further progress likely, can take this.
Risk Return (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden straight, moderate 2nd and no impression final furlong kept on, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Kingsbarns (9-5) at Navan 1m 2yo mdn in Oct.
Why Me 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden into 7th 2f out, 6th 1 1/2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 9l behind Caesaria (9-5) at Curragh 6f mdn stks hvy in Mar.
Baby Goose (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Dwelt, always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 11th of 14, 23l behind Wannabe Better (9-0) at Naas 1m 3yo fll stks.
Conversational (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out but no impression under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Sassaway (9-0) at Curragh 6f fll hcp gd.
Dragon Fei (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3f out, no extra 2f out, eased final furlong, 6th of 7, 23l behind Morga (8-11) at Wexford 1m fll mdn stks gf in Jul.
Keep Straight (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden under 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Sister Slew (9-0) at Galway 7f 3yo mdn in Jul.
Lapis Blue (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden into 6th 2f out, challenged for 2nd over 1f out, no extra in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Wannabe Better (9-0) at Naas 1m 3yo fll stks.
Ravello Again (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Towards rear, no impression into straight, ran on well without threatening final furlong, 7th of 15, 4l behind Target Acquired (10-5) at Galway 7f 3yo hcp 50-75 in Jul.
Tax Reform (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, driven along approaching straight and no chance with easy winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace into moderate 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Lady O Malley (9-0) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f 3yo mdn gf.
