settled in mid-division, moderate 11th halfway, pushed along in 7th entering straight, no extra from 2f out
towards rear, never a factor, no threat in straight
chased clear leader, moderate 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 3rd early straight, no extra and dropped to 5th inside final furlong
led and clear after 3f, 6 lengths advantage and still travelling well entering straight, ridden 2f out and kept on under pressure, no extra well inside final furlong and headed on line
mid-division well off clear leader, ridden into moderate 4th entering straight, went 2nd under pressure 1f out, kept on well to lead on line
mid-division, moderate 9th halfway, no threat in straight, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, moderate 9th entering straight, 5th under pressure over 1f out, kept on into 3rd final furlong
towards rear, never a factor, no threat in straight
towards rear, never a factor, moderate 10th halfway, kept on one pace in straight
towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight
chased clear leader, moderate 4th halfway, 2nd but no real impression on leader entering straight, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, moderate 6th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th early straight, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong without threatening
chased clear leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened
mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, no extra in straight
chased clear leader, moderate 3rd halfway, no extra entering straight, weakened
This is generally won by a useful type but only once by a three-year-old so Backbench Blues may struggle after being raised 8lb for his Naas victory. Harrison's Cave ran well for a long way in the Chester Cup and this is more like his trip but Royal Diamond is up a massive 12lb for his easy victory over 1m6f at Leopardstown. MIDNIGHT SOPRANO has been in superb form, completing her hat-trick with a C&D victory over the useful Plan A and subsequent winner Paddy The Celeb last month. There's more to come from her and Marc Monaghan has been on board for two of her last three victories. She holds Alazan on earlier running at Gowran and the latter is also held by both Ansaab and Sharalam, who are in excellent shape at present with the latter expected to reverse earlier running over this longer trip.
Ansaab 2-1fav (9-11) Settled in 6th, 5th 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, led inside final furlong and kept on under pressure, won at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-90 in Apr beating Sharalam (9-6) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Harrison's Cave 11-2fav (8-8) Held up towards rear, some headway over 3f out, went modest 5th over 3f out, 5th of 16, 23l behind Ile De Re (8-11) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft.
Sharalam (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, soon clear and kept on well final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp beating Leah Claire (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Royal Diamond (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led from halfway, stretched clear from over 1f out and stayed on well, very easily, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gd in Apr beating Rising Wind (9-5) by 5l, 16 ran.
Midnight Soprano (IRE) 10-3 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden to lead well over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 4f Handicap (50-85) (4yo+) in Apr beating Plan A (9-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Admiral Barry (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders on inner, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight and no extra from 2f out, 9th of 16, 11l behind Royal Diamond (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gd in Apr.
Certerach (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Akasaka (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (60-90) (4yo+) pol.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Led and soon clear with 2nd, reduced advantage after halfway and headed 5f out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off, last of 19, well behind Minsk (8-9) at Curragh 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Emblazon (GER) 9-2 (11-7) 12th of 21, 25l behind Broadway Twist (11-7) at Punchestown 1m 7f stks sft.
Glamorous (GER) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders on inner in 4th, ridden approaching straight, soon no extra, weakened, 11th of 13, 23l behind What A Charm (9-6) at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Sep.
Alazan (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Led early, tracked leader in 2nd before halfway, led again briefly entering straight, ridden and headed 2f out, 4th and no extra from 1f out, 4th of 9, 8l behind Ansaab (9-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-90 in Apr.
Backbench Blues (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Made all, asserted under pressure from over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Naas 1m 3yo stk gd in Apr beating Croi An Or (9-8) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Night Glimmer (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, closer entering straight and led under 2f out, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, no impression and dropped to 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Akinspirit (8-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol.
Dara Tango (FR) (9-1) 5th of 8, 2l behind Cup Cake (8-9) at Saint-Galmier(FR) 1m 3f 4yo stk hvy in Nov.
Tantalising (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Led early, tracked leader in 2nd, led entering straight, headed under 2f out and soon no impression in 3rd, kept on one pace under pressure, 3rd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Wrekin Rock (8-6) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 50-80 gs.
Midnight Music (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Chased clear leader in 3rd, closer halfway, 4th approaching straight, ridden entering straight and no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on one pace in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Sharalam (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp.
