Only one non-three-year-old has won this in 11 renewals which makes AZORES' task tough. David Wachman's filly had some fine form last season but disappointed when last seen at Limerick in March and has never started higher than 7/2 in her seven starts to date. Mont Blanc set the pace over 1m4f at Galway and though passed by the front pair in the closing stages still looks more of a middle-distance performer and may find this on the short side. Teodolite looked a nice prospect on her debut at Tipperary in October and though beaten a long way on her only subsequent start at Dundalk in April she's much better than that. INSTANT MEMORIES had very little chance against the long odds-on Tandem at Galway but caught the eye with a promising run and tonight's longer trip should prove ideal. She gets the vote to go one better.
Azores (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, 2nd over 1f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Ri An Domhnaigh (9-7) at Limerick 1m 3f mdn stks gd in Mar.
Byrners Bid (IRE) 100-1 (9-13) Mid-division early, towards rear halfway, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind I Have A Dream (9-5) at Bellewstown 1m 4f mdn stks hvy in Jul.
Eljowzah (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Lucky Meadows (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn fll (5) pol in Mar '11.
Hittin'the Skids (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Waited with, progress travelling well straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Gothen Niece (9-2) at Cork 1m 4f hcp 47-65.
Akuna Magic (IRE) Whipper filly out of Manuka Magic.
Ellie Mia (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Soon chased leaders, 3rd approaching 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 20l behind Pale Mimosa (9-0) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo mdn sft.
Instant Memories (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, 6th 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on to go 2nd without threatening easy winner close home, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Tandem (9-5) at Galway 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn gd.
Marys Gone (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Very slowly away and always behind, last of 10, 13l behind Fionnuar (9-0) at Curragh 7f fll mdn stks hvy in Jul.
Mont Blanc 8-1 (9-0) Led, disputed after 4f, headed after 5f, ridden to lead again 2 1/2f out, strongly pressed entering straight, kept on, headed close home, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Aegean Sky (9-0) at Galway 1m 4f fll mdn stks sft.
Shifting (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 13th of 17, 17l behind Money Spider (9-0) at Naas 1m 3yo fll stks.
Teodolite (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 4f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out, no extra, 8th of 10, 21l behind Ernest Hemingway (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo mdn stks pol in Apr.
