soon raced in 4th, pushed along approaching straight where raced on outer, challenged and on terms 11/2f out, soon led, pushed out to assert and stayed on well inside final furlong
soon raced in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, challenged and briefly on terms 11/2f out, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along before straight, no impression 11/2f out, soon no extra
soon led, pushed along into straight, pressed over 2f out, soon joined and headed from 1 1/2f out, no extra and one pace 1f out
soon raced in 2nd, closed up before straight, soon pushed along, challenged over 2f out, soon almost on terms, no extra and one pace 1f out
ORDER OF ST GEORGE won this on his reappearance under a Group 1 penalty a year ago before going on to his brilliant victory at Ascot. He's already had a run this term when failing to concede 5lb to the very progressive Torcedor in the Vintage Crop at Navan which will have blown the cobwebs away for this and targets beyond. Twilight Payment wasn't far behind at Navan and remains on an upward curve while Carbon Dating, who had been operating in Dubai over the winter, didn't handle the twists and turns of Chester after returning with a victory in a valuable handicap at Musselburgh. Motherland has scope for further improvement which he will need here, as will Stars Over The Sea, four times a winner for Mark Johnston but beaten in a couple of recent runs over hurdles.
Order Of St George (IRE) 4-5fav (9-9) Soon settled 4th, ridden into 3rd over 2f out, progress to 2nd final 100 yards, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Torcedor (9-4) at Navan 1m 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Twilight Payment (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Raced 3rd, 2nd after 5f, ridden over 3f out, no impression on leader 1f out, dropped to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Torcedor (9-4) at Navan 1m 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Carbon Dating (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up and always towards rear, never involved, eased when no chance final furlong, 7th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Western Hymn (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Motherland (IRE) 13-8fav (9-9) Led, pressed from 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Tandem (9-5) at Tipperary 1m 4f gd in Apr.
Stars Over The Sea (USA) 11-10fav (11-12) Lost ground start, soon in touch with field and chased leader in 2nd after 2nd, closer order after 3 out, led into straight, pressed 2 out, soon headed, dropped to 3rd run-in and one pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Shadagann (11-3) at Wexford 2m gd in May.
