settled 4th and kept wide early, headway entering straight and led 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well inside final furlong
led after 2f, pushed along and disputed 3f out, ridden and no extra 2f out, eased from 1f out
keen hold and chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
settled in rear and wide early, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen hold early and led, wide and headed after 2f, chased leader in 2nd, improved to dispute 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression winner final furlong, kept on same pace
Jim Bolger has won the last three of these but though Alpinist is progressing nicely and Beyond Thankful had a decent first campaign it will be a surprise if the sequence continues and the latter was a long way behind SUGAR BOY in a Listed contest here in November. Patrick Prendergast's colt is a really powerful galloping type who will love the conditions and can make a winning reappearance though Aidan O'Brien is strongly represented by Battle Of Marengo and Foundry. The former is penalised for his victory in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh and is in all the major races while his once-raced stablemate will probably head for the Dante if retaining his unbeaten record.
Battle Of Marengo (IRE) 4-9fav (9-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly to assert inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Curragh 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) in Sep beating Orgilgo Bay (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Alpinist 13-8 (9-5) Made all, pressed from 2f out, ridden and challenged 1f out, kept on to assert final furlong, strongly pressed again close home, won at Curragh 1m 3yo mdn hvy in Mar beating Silver Lightening (9-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Beyond Thankful (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders in 5th, progress into 3rd 3f out, moderate 2nd 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 4th of 7, 12l behind Sugar Boy (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 1f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Nov.
Imperial Concorde (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Held up, 6th into straight, ridden and no impression, 5th of 7, 14l behind Sugar Boy (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 1f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Nov.
Sugar Boy (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Always prominent, raced wide, led approaching straight, ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on strongly, eased 100 yards from finish, won at Leopardstown 1m 1f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Nov beating Coolibah (9-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Foundry (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Always prominent, 2nd from halfway, led under 2f out, soon ridden clear, very easily, won at Leopardstown 7f mdn stks sft in Nov beating Tonabrocky (9-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
