raced in 2nd, ridden to challenge early straight, led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed when edged right under pressure well inside final furlong, headed close home
tracked leaders in 4th, smooth progress into 3rd entering straight, soon ridden, 2nd and challenged from 1f out, kept on well to lead close home
held up in 6th, 5th straight, kept on from over 1f out
held up in 5th, no extra early straight
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th into straight, soon ridden, 3rd and challenged under 1f out, no extra close home
led, strongly pressed straight, headed 1 1/2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, some progress into 6th over 1f out, kept on same pace
Jim Bolger has won this three times in the past 10 years and will be hoping to make it four with ATASARI, who should be given another chance after her poor return run behind Music Show in the Nell Gwyn. She had been beaten only a neck by Mick Channon's filly in the Rockfel in October and shouldn't be dismissed on the back of one disappointing effort. Picture Perfect made all to land a Naas maiden in taking fashion and is on the upgrade and Johnny Murtagh rides her in preference to the Ballydoyle pair Full Of Hope and Queen Of Troy, who don't look good enough. Bethrah had a simple task to lose her maiden tag at Limerick and the result was never in doubt. This beautifully-bred daughter of Marju is still in the Irish 1000 Guineas and may be the one to take advantage if Atasari fails again.
Atasari (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Music Show (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Bethrah (IRE) 4-9fav (9-0) Made all, travelling best straight, sent on from over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 7f 3yo fll mdn in Apr beating Queen Commander (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Cornakill (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 8, 9l behind Lady Lupus (8-12) at Curragh 1m 2yo lst fll sft in Oct.
Full Of Hope (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Soon mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden to close and challenged 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Lolly For Dolly (8-11) at Curragh 7f fll stks G3.
Hen Night (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden on outer in 7th over 2f out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 19l behind Akdarena (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f Fillies Stakes (Listed) (3yo) gf in Apr.
Picture Perfect (IRE) 4-7fav (9-0) Made all, quickened clear from over 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Naas 7f mdn stks gd in Apr beating Notgonnagiveup (9-0) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Queen Of Troy (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders early, no extra from over 2f out, last of 12, 10l behind Lolly For Dolly (8-11) at Curragh 7f fll stks G3.
Strandhill (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Attempted to make all, ridden early straight, headed 1f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Full Of Hope (9-0) at Tipperary 7f 3yo mdn in Apr.
