towards rear, no impression from 3f out
mid-division, no impression from 4f out
chased leaders, led 4f out, headed and weakened quickly from 2 1/2f out
led, ridden and headed 4f out, soon weakened
in rear well off pace, some modest late headway
very slowly away and always behind
unruly early (bucked) racing towards rear, mid-division on outer before halfway, weakened from 4f out
mid-division on inner, ridden in 4th 2 1/2f out, kept on same pace straight
chased leaders, improved to lead travelling well 2 1/2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily
twice broke through stalls wearing hood, dwelt, soon mid-division, weakened from 4f out
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th on outer 2 1/2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening easy winner
prominent, ridden in 2nd 2 1/2f out, weakened entering straight
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2 1/2f out, soon no extra
chased leaders, ridden in 6th 2 1/2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on one paced
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, 5th on outer 3f out, soon ridden and no impression
This is by no means the best race at the Festival but Dermot Weld has won it in half of the eight times it's been run and THREE KINGDOMS can improve enough on his debut run over 1m at the Curragh to enhance his trainer's record. Aidan O'Brien has won it twice recently so Circle has to come into the reckoning as she's shown ability over shorter and will be facing quicker ground for the first time. Fatcatinthehat ran several promising races in his first season and the fact that he's been absent since November is rarely a problem for one from his yard. He looks a big threat while Caliente is a half-brother to a 1m3f winner and has shown up well over shorter trips.
Cnoc Na Sioga (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Soon chased leaders, well off pace, closed into 3rd approaching 2f out, challenged in 2nd 1 1/2f out, on terms final furlong, headed closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Ceol Rua (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks sft in Jun.
Desert Moonlight 50-1 (9-8) Rear of mid-division best, never a factor, last of 14, 33l behind Shop Dj (9-6) at Dundalk 2m mdn stks pol in Feb.
Fancy Socks (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden along entering straight, kept on one pace under pressure from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 7l behind Chicago (9-3) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp sft in Jul.
Long Strand (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd and ridden entering straight, soon weakened, behind final furlong, last of 7, 32l behind Drive Time (11-0) at Killarney 1m 6f am stks (4yo+) in Jul.
Moonlight Fencer (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Led, soon clear, niggled along with reducing advantage from 5f out, headed approaching 2f out, no extra in 5th from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Ceol Rua (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks sft in Jun.
Mr Lomas (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened, 11th of 24, well behind Il Fenomeno (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Oct.
Slaney Wood (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Led and disputed, bad mistake and headed 5 out, no extra from before 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Ample Appeal (11-5) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
Strove For Gold (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, well behind Shadow Eile (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks gd in Jul.
Total Reality (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Led after 2f out, headed approaching straight and soon no extra, eased when beaten under 2f out, 17th of 23, 23l behind Salam Alaykum (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp 50-75 gs in Jul.
Fatcatinthehat 7-2 (9-7) Led after 1f, ridden and challenged 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Backbench Blues (9-4) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo hcp sft in Nov.
The Bay Butcher (IRE) Montjeu gelding out of Woodyousmileforme.
Three Kingdoms (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden into moderate 5th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 15, 5l behind Regulation (9-5) at Curragh 1m mdn stks sft in Jun.
Caliente (IRE) 6-5 (9-0) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden entering straight, disputed 2nd from 2f out, disputed lead over 1f out, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 5, nk behind Dream Scape (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 1f fll mdn stks hvy in Jul.
Circle (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and tried to challenge early straight, no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Authorization (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f mdn stks hvy in Jul.
Strain Of Fame (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, 6th approaching straight and no extra from 2f out, 7th of 12, 21l behind Oilily (10-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks gs in Jul.
Swing Pattern (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 9th of 14, 10l behind Gan Locht (7-13) at Dundalk 2m hcp 47-65 pol in Apr.
Sargent Foaley (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden 4f out and no threat approaching straight, last of 7, 46l behind Caim Hill (11-2) at Wexford 2m mdn stks in May.
Lucas Eile 66-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, completely tailed off, last of 11, well behind Shadow Eile (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks gd in Jul.
Parramatta (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Keen hold, lost place 5f out, soon no impression, 14th of 16, 50l behind Crystal Earth (10-13) at Wexford 2m mrs N H flat gf in Jul.
Nia's Caul (IRE) Kheleyf colt out of Annieirwin.
Lady Lyrath (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Mid-division early, 6th halfway, ridden in close 3rd 2 1/2f out, 4th 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 14, 7l behind Windsor Pride (8-9) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp 47-65 gs in Jul.
