slightly impeded start and pushed along, soon raced in 5th, pushed along again 3f out, dropped to 7th 2f out, no extra over 1f out
pushed along to soon lead, joined into straight, headed 2f out, no extra 1f out, weakened
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, pushed along to challenge into straight, on terms 2f out, gained narrow lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong
held up, soon towards rear in 8th, last 2f out and pushed along, went moderate 6th from 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong
a little keen, held up, soon raced in 7th on outer, pushed along from 3f out, 6th 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, one pace
pushed along at stages from early, soon in rear, some headway in 8th on inner 2f out, went moderate 5th 1f out, soon switched right, ran on well without threatening final furlong
took keen hold, soon raced in 6th, pushed along in 5th 2f out, chased leaders 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong
took keen hold, soon raced in 4th, pushed along over 3f out, chased leaders 1f out, kept on without threatening winner final furlong
soon prominent in 2nd, on terms into straight, narrowly headed from 1 1/2f out, no impression under 1f out, no extra and impeded closing stages
Aidan O'Brien has won all three previous renewals so it would be no surprise if Killarney maiden winner Johannes Vermeer proved up to this level and he is preferred to stablemate Shogun. But SANUS PER AQUAM has the form in the book with a second in a Group 3 over 7f here in July and Jim Bolger's colt is taken to go one better. Rockaway Valley also ran well in Group 3 company over 6f at the Curragh last time and Waipu Cove won a Listed race at Tipperary last month. True Solitaire is another maiden winner to keep an eye on but Richard Hannon's Battle Pride will need to step up on his previous efforts in pattern company to figure.
Battle Pride (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden 2f out, no impression, 4th of 5, 5 1/4l behind Foundation (9-2) at Haydock 1m lst stks (1) gs in Sep.
Escondida (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Ran 4th, 5th halfway, pushed along in 6th 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Miss Gossip (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f mdn Good - Yielding in Jul.
Johannes Vermeer (IRE) 6-4fav (9-5) Soon led, asserted over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, easily, won at Killarney 1m mdn gd in Aug beating Dawenkour (9-5) by 4 1/4l, 8 ran.
Moral High Ground (IRE) 8-11fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 1f out, led 100 yards out and kept on well, won at Navan 6f mdn gf in Sep beating Aspar (9-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Play The Game (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Ran freely early and soon led, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, kept on, headed final 50 yards, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Waipu Cove (9-3) at Tipperary 7f lst stks (1) sft in Aug.
Rockaway Valley (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Raced 5th, driven halfway, veered right 1 1/2f out, soon 3rd and ridden, stayed on well 1f out to 2nd inside final 200 yards, not trouble winner, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Smash Williams (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Sanus Per Aquam (IRE) 1-3fav (9-3) Bit slowly away, soon pushed up to 2nd, switched right to lead over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed over 50 yards out, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Deauville (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
True Solitaire (IRE) 6-4fav (9-5) Prominent, soon 2nd, challenged from over 2f out, led from before straight, stayed on best to go clear final furlong, won at Galway 7f mdn sft in Jul beating The Moore Factor (9-5) by 4 3/4l, 9 ran.
Waipu Cove 9-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden to close 2f out, 2nd 1 1/2f out, challenged 1f out, kept on well final furlong to led last 50 yards, won at Tipperary 7f lst stks (1) sft in Aug beating Play The Game (9-3) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Blue De Vega (GER) 9-4fav (9-5) Slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden to progress and not clear run over 2f out, stayed on into 6th 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind General Macarthur (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Sep.
Precious Gold (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Soon disputed lead, led halfway, ridden and strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 12, shd behind Beacon Rock (9-5) at Curragh 1m mdn Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Restive (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Curragh 1m mdn Good - Yielding in Aug beating Stellar Mass (9-5) by 1l, 12 ran.
Shogun (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along under 3f out, dropped to 3rd over 2f out, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 4, 5 3/4l behind Herald The Dawn (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug.
