slowly into stride, soon pushed along to improve and led after 1f, narrowly headed halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed winner final furlong, just held
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out, ran on final furlong, no impression leaders
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, no extra 2f out, kept on one pace, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
dwelt, always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, no impression in 4th 2f out, kept on one pace
held up, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace
led, headed after 1f, regained narrow lead halfway, ridden under 2f out, strongly pressed final furlong and all out
It's almost a year to the day that Muntasaf made a very promising debut here on heavy ground so something must have been amiss. However, that form stands out in the context of this race and he'll make a bold bid to defy the long absence. Cottrell made his debut over this trip on heavy ground last October but hasn't raced over a mile subsequently and has mainly been confined to sprinting. With fitness guaranteed, DEEP SOUND looks the one to be on as he followed a decent debut at Cork with an even better run over 1m2f at the Curragh. This will be his first start in these conditions but if handling them will be very difficult to beat.
Muntasaf (IRE) 9-4 (9-5) Held up towards rear early, 6th halfway, pushed along into 4th 2f out, 2nd 1 1/2f out, stayed on to challenge 1f out, strongly pressed winner final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 8, ns behind Lordhighprotector (8-11) at Listowel 7f 3yo mdn aut hvy in Sep '12.
Shipyard (USA) Pivotal gelding out of Nadia.
Cliff House (IRE) Mustameet gelding out of Babble On.
Cottrell 5-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Swift Action (9-0) at Tipperary 5f mdn stks gd in Aug.
Deep Speed (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Towards rear, went 4th and ridden on outer 2f out, 4th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Victory Song (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo mdn gf.
Easter Spirit (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Dwelt, always towards rear, 13th of 14, 21l behind Rapid Approach (9-5) at Gowran Park 7f 3yo mdn gd in Apr.
Imperial Throne (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt a bit, soon tracked leaders, dropped to 6th from over 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 13l behind Piet Mondrian (9-5) at Killarney 1m mdn stks gd in Aug.
Secret Seven (USA) 40-1 (9-0) Soon towards rear, moderate 11th and kept on same pace from before straight, 10th of 13, 31l behind Fulminata (9-0) at Listowel 1m mdn flls stks.
Truly Delightful (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, no impression and kept on one pace from 2f out, 7th of 11, 21l behind Wandering Star (9-9) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo fll stks gd.
