chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt and rear, pushed along and trailing after 2f, ridden and no impression over 2f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, 6th halfway, ridden to close on outer over 1f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up, 5th halfway, ridden to progress 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, lost 2nd inside final furlong and no extra closing stages
disputed, led after 1f, disputed again halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
disputed early, 2nd after 1f, disputed again halfway, ridden in lead 2f out, asserted over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong
Smash Williams, a dual winner at the Curragh, couldn't quite go the pace when stepped up to Group 2 company in France in October but is expected to take high order amongst the sprinters this season. He had Al Qahwa behind in the second of those Curragh events and should have his measure again. WASHINGTON DC disappointed on soft ground at Ascot last month but it was a different matter at Navan a fortnight ago when he easily landed a Listed contest on much quicker going. He looks the one to be on here as he had Only Mine back in third and should confirm the form. Acclaim followed his Kempton success with another in a Newmarket handicap but, along with Erysimum, will need to make further progress.
Aclaim (IRE) 2-1fav (8-13) In rear, switched right over 2f out, headway to lead approaching final furlong, ran on and hung left towards finish, won at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) sft in Apr beating Monteverdi (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Al Qahwa (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Soon raced 2nd, pushed along to lead narrowly 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd final 200 yards, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Smash Williams (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Smash Williams (IRE) 5-6fav (9-2) 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Donjuan Triumphant (9-2) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Washington Dc (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) Raced 4th, pushed along to 2nd 1 1/2f out, soon led, ridden and asserted under 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Navan 6f lst stks (1) gf in May beating Diamond Fields (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Waterloo Bridge (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Rear, 9th halfway, pushed along to 7th 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Washington Dc (9-3) at Navan 6f lst stks (1) gf in May.
Erysimum (IRE) 9-4 (9-4) Broke well, made all, still travelling smoothly straight, ridden to assert 1 1/2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Killarney 1m fll gd in May beating Gilded Reflection (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Only Mine (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Ran 5th, progress to 2nd halfway, dropped to 4th and niggled along under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, improved to 2nd final 150 yards, kept on same pace, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Washington Dc (9-3) at Navan 6f lst stks (1) gf in May.
