chased clear leader mainly 5th, closer from 6f out, no threat from early straight, kept on one pace
chased clear leader mainly 6th, closer from 6f out, no threat from early straight, kept on one pace
chased clear leader in 3rd, closer from 6f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, never a factor
chased clear leader mainly 7th, never a factor, no threat in straight
led and soon clear, reduced advantage from 6f out, kicked clear briefly again entering straight, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure final furlong
chased clear leader in 4th, closer from 6f out, good headway on outer to lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
slowly away and always towards rear, eased when beaten in straight
chased clear leader in 2nd, closer from 6f out, no impression early straight and dropped to 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace
always towards rear
A very competitive stayers handicap made even more intriguing by the presence of Sarteano, who won over fences at Galway last week and is no slouch on the level. King Of Aran is consistent enough but probably a few pounds high at present, a remark that also applies to Star Power, who ran quite well over the trip at Galway. Golan Go is 7lb higher than when scoring at Ballinrobe but stayed on strongly that day and looks certain to be involved while Nantucket Bay looks a staying type and has been unsuited by 1m4f on his two latest starts. The latter finished behind DIMONA when they met in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh and John Oxx' filly can take this as she has the look of a potentially useful stayer on a very reasonable handicap mark.
Reggae Rock (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, on terms over 3f out, soon headed and no extra, 14th of 16, well behind Clare Glen (9-5) at Galway 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
King Of Aran (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Settled towards rear, headway entering straight, went 2nd in centre of course under 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure but no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Long Live The King (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 sft in Jul.
Star Power (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Mid-division, closer in 7th 3f out, soon ridden, 5th entering straight, kept on one paced, 4th of 18, 8l behind Rainforest Magic (9-9) at Galway 2m hcp 55-80 gd in Jul.
Dearest Girl (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, 11th entering straight, went 5th 2f out, moderate 3rd under pressure 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Silk Hall (8-13) at Curragh 2m hcp 60-100 gd in Jun.
Golan Go (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden into 3rd from 3f out, 2nd and challenged from under 2f out, led and stayed on best inside final furlong, won at Ballinrobe 1m 6f hcp 50-75 gd in Jul beating Priors Gold (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Nantucket Bay (USA) 11-4fav (9-8) Soon tracked leader, on terms under 4f out, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, dropped to 3rd into straight, soon no impression, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lovers Peace (8-8) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo hcp 60-90 gd in Jul.
Dimona (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway into moderate 8th 4f out, ridden over 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Paramount (9-5) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp 60-100 in Jul.
Rayhani (USA) 6-1 (10-0) 14th of 16, 42l behind Emrani (9-3) at Down Royal 2m hcp 50-80 gd in Sep.
Sarteano (FR) 5-1 (9-7) Led or disputed lead, driven along entering straight, led 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, kept on under pressure and joined inside final furlong, headed closing stages, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Formal Bid (8-6) at Dundalk 2m hcp 47-65 pol in Apr.
Crusoe's Return 20-1 (9-6) Always behind, 12th of 13, 21l behind Denny Crane (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct.
