chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, improved to lead under 2f out, soon ridden clear, kept on strongly, easily
towards rear, ridden into 9th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression entering straight
chased leaders early, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, good headway in 8th 2f out, 3rd over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden into 9th 2f out, 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace in 4th from 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra and weakened
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, no impression leader 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra final furlong
Paul Deegan has won two of the three renewals of this so his consistent Free Art should be noted after a fair reappearance at the Curragh. Imperial Rome looked well suited by the surface when an impressive winner over the C&D in November while Final Recovery beat Free Art a couple of lengths here in October. However, he's held by CRYSTAL BELLE on an earlier run here and as Patrick Martin's filly will be better for her run at the Curragh last month she can take this. Lake Ontario was a disappointment in York's Acomb Stakes and has a penalty to carry while Golden Creek's success in August came on Southwell's Fibresand surface.
Lake Ontario (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) In rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and hung right 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, eased when not much room final 75 yards, 4th of 7, 7l behind Waiter's Dream (9-0) at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Imperial Rome (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Soon led, travelling well early straight, shaken up 1 1/2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov beating Narjawa (8-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 21l behind Deire Na Sli (8-8) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo hcp sft in Oct.
Cat Fire (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, eased final furlong, 6th of 7, 13l behind Hanginthebalance (8-4) at Gowran Park 7f 2yo hcp 50-90 gf in Aug.
Stylish One (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division on stand side, 7th halfway, 8th 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 6l behind Defining Year (9-7) at Curragh 7f 3yo ext hcp sft in Mar.
Free Art 20-1 (8-13) Rear of mid-division, headway after halfway, went 5th 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, no extra final furlong, 8th of 13, 8l behind Defining Year (9-7) at Curragh 7f 3yo ext hcp sft in Mar.
Jamesie (IRE) 12-1 (7-11) Mid-division on outer, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 11th of 16, 6l behind Knock Stars (8-8) at Naas 6f 2yo hcp gd in Oct.
Final Recovery 9-2 (8-8) Soon close up in 2nd, ridden to challenge early straight, no impression from under 2f out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Alexander Pope (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 2yo stks pol in Dec.
Hope Of An Angel (IRE) 33-1 (7-8) Never a factor, 10th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Dahindar (9-8) at Dundalk 7f Ext hcp pol.
Isis Song (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division on inner, 7th in touch entering straight, soon no extra under pressure, weakened, last of 8, 26l behind Together (8-12) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Crystal Belle (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Defining Year (9-7) at Curragh 7f 3yo ext hcp sft in Mar.
Belleau (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders in 5th, ridden entering straight, 4th from over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Madeira Man (8-6) at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp pol in Nov.
Golden Creek (USA) Evensfav (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along halfway, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, driven to hold renewed challenge of 2nd, won at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Aug beating Queen Of Cash (8-12) by hd, 6 ran.
