settled in mid-division, headway into 4th under 2f out, challenged 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
never a factor
always prominent, 4th halfway, headway to lead 2f out, driven along over 1f out, headed under pressure well inside final furlong, rallied closing strides, just failed
prominent, 3rd halfway, ridden and dropped to 7th 2f out, soon no extra and weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, driven along 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division on stand side, 7th halfway, 8th 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, 11th 2f out, switched right and ridden to go 5th 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure
rear of mid-division, headway after halfway, went 5th 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, 6th halfway, no extra from over 2f out, weakened
held up towards rear, 10th 3f out, pushed along in 9th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong without reaching principals
always towards rear
prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, driven along and headed 2f out, no extra under pressure from over 1f out
Just one favourite, a 5/1 chance, has won this in the past nine years. Qubuh made his debut in a maiden that produced numerous winners and then scored at Listowel from what looked a decent field. He wears blinkers for the first time so connections mean business. Eirnin hadn't shown too much before scoring at Navan and will probably improve again as will Adilapour, who finished with a real flourish to catch Pirate Chest over a mile at Gowran. WHEN NOT IFF made an eye-catching debut at Roscommon before scoring very easily at Galway in July. Both runs were on fast ground and it remains to be seen how she handles today's going but looks a very nice prospect. Shelley Beach is the type to make progress this season and arrives here on a fair mark so must be respected.
Defining Year (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Mid-division on outer, 7th halfway, ridden and progress straight, 2nd 2f out, strongly pressed winner from 1 1/2f out, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Pirateer (9-2) at Gowran Park 1m 2yo hcp in Sep.
When Not Iff (IRE) 5-2fav (8-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to lead 2f out, ridden to assert entering straight, kept on strongly from over 1f out to go clear, comfortably, won at Galway 7f 2yo mdn gf in Jul beating Manacor (9-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
Adilapour (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden on outer and progress straight, 4th 2f out, ran on well to lead on line, won at Gowran Park 1m 2yo mdn in Sep beating Pirate Chest (9-3) by shd, 15 ran.
Mr Man In The Moon (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Prominent on outer, 3rd under pressure halfway, weakened approaching straight, last of 11, 17l behind Knock Stars (8-13) at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp pol in Oct.
Eirnin (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, 7th and progress over 3f out, challenged between horses and squeezed for room 2f out, ridden to challenge in 2nd final furlong, stayed on well to lead on line, won at Navan 1m 2yo fll mdn in Oct beating Diamond Brooch (9-0) by shd, 15 ran.
Stylish One (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Always close up, led early straight, ridden and kept on well from under 2f out, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo fll mdn gf in Oct beating Eva's Time (9-0) by nk, 17 ran.
Il Boro (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, progress from over 3f out, 5th from 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, all out, won at Navan 1m 2yo hcp 50-80 gd in Oct beating Nucals Star (9-7) by hd, 18 ran.
Free Art 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders on inner mainly 4th, pushed along to close from 2f out, went 2nd just inside final furlong and briefly short of room, switched right and kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Final Recovery (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp 60-90 pol in Oct.
Light Footsteps (IRE) 3-1fav (8-12) Led early, prominent, weakened from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 14l behind Hurricane Havoc (8-12) at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn in Sep.
Shelley Beach (IRE) 13-8fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to go 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Petronius Maximus (9-3) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn in Oct.
Qubuh (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Raced in 6th, improved before straight to track leaders, soon 2nd, challenged and left in lead over 1f out, pressed and stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Listowel 7f 2yo mdn gd in Sep beating Mykonos (9-3) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Crystal Belle (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Soon led, strongly pressed when edged left 1f out, narrowly headed 100 yards from finish, carried left, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Bendzoldan (8-5) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol in Dec.
Going Gaga (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, 9th under pressure 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 23, 6l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75 in Oct.
