chased leaders in 3rd, travelling best straight, led over 1f out, soon quickened to assert, very easily
soon led, clear with 2nd approaching straight, ridden and reduced lead 2f out, headed and kept on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leader, clear of remainder approaching straight, ridden and reduced advantage 2f out, no extra and kept on same pace from 1f out
soon raced in moderate 5th, ridden to close 2f out, switched to outer and no impression from over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders in 4th, ridden before straight, closed 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
soon settled well off pace towards rear, ridden before straight, soon no impression, no extra from over 1f out
settled well off pace in rear, ridden straight, soon no impression, no extra from over 1f out
A race that revolves around the return of Derby hopeful JAN VERMEER and he is taken to defy his seven-pound penalty. Aidan O'Brien has won the last four runnings of this event and his charge will be tough to beat. The son of Montjeu won a Group One in France on his last start by no less then four lengths and earlier in the week connections had been considering a tilt at the Saturday's 2000 Guineas. It won't be easy for the Ballydoyle colt as Jim Bolger's Shintoh looked a decent animal when winning seven days ago. The step up in trip today will not be a problem as the further he went the better he was that day. Icon Dream was second in the Chester Vase when just touched off by Ted Spread. He was outbattled there though having looked sure to win when looming alongside the winner a furlong out. For that reason we'll stick with Jan Vermeer.
Jan Vermeer (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) won at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m Grp 1 sft in Nov beating Emerald Commander (8-13) by 4l, 7 ran.
Bobbyscot (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up in last, niggled along 4f out, ridden in last 2f out, disputing 3rd 1f out, stayed on final furlong went 2nd without threatening winner on line, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Rain Forest (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 4f 3yo stk gf.
Fighting Brave (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Noll Wallop (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo Grp 3 in Mar.
Icon Dream (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Dwelt, in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, kept on until headed towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Ted Spread (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs.
Shintoh (USA) 2-1 (9-2) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on strongly from over 1f out, clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Navan 1m stks gf beating Encompassing (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Troas (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Mid-division, 6th halfway, 5th and ridden approaching straight, headway 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gf beating Carraiglawn (9-4) by hd, 12 ran.
Zayaan 10-1 (9-1) In touch towards rear, 5th and progress from 3f out, challenged and disputed lead 1 1/2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong and kept on one pace close home, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Free Judgement (9-1) at Curragh 7f 3yo Grp 3.
Barbadine (USA) 11-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead 2f out, ridden clear from over 1f out, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo fll stks gf beating Crazy Days (9-0) by 3l, 17 ran.
