chased leaders early, soon held up, ridden in 8th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders on rail, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong
always towards rear, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, eased inside final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, 2nd and no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, closer in 6th 2f out and ridden, no extra over 1f out
chased leaders on outer, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders early, lost place halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
A three-year-old won this a year ago and MASAI is the only representative from that age group this time. Aidan O'Brien's colt, a winner at Dundalk on his final start last season, reappeared with a reasonable effort at Naas but he's only a 16/1 chance for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot so much better is expected and he can prove himself better than a 96-rated handicapper. He's up against a field of battle-hardened sprinters including Harry Trotter, who bounced back to winning form here in April though he may struggle to confirm earlier form with In Salutem. Yulong Baoju has a touch of quality and has generally raced at a higher level though it took him a couple of races to get warmed up last season. Dashwood is in excellent form and only succumbed to Great Minds in the closing stages over 6f on testing ground at the Curragh. He's only run over this trip once in 29 starts but has been showing enough pace to be suited and looks a threat. The reliable Bubbly Bellini has won eleven times and has been going well enough to get into the action.
Yulong Baoju (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, 2nd 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra near line, 2nd of 10, shd behind English Deer (9-5) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Harry Trotter (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Settled in in rear, still last 2f out, headway to be close up and challenged 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well,, won at Tipperary 5f hcp gf in Apr beating Sassaway (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Master Speaker (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, progress into 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong and pressed for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Scream Blue Murder (9-2) at Cork 5f stks in May.
My Good Brother (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Ran 4th, ridden and no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 6l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd in May.
Masai (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Soon chased leaders, 6th travelling smoothly 2f out, still 6th and ridden 1f out, headway but no impression when no room inside final 50yds, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Gathering Power (9-2) at Naas 6f hcp in Apr.
Dashwood 20-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 20, 3/4l behind Great Minds (9-4) at Curragh 6f hcp hvy in May.
Queen Grace (IRE) 7-1fav (9-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden under 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 11th of 15, 9l behind Lady Mega (8-6) at Curragh 5f hcp gf in May.
In Salutem 12-1 (8-7) Mid-division, progress 2f out and went 5th 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd in May.
Almadaa 8-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 8l behind Rummaging (9-6) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Bubbly Bellini (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Held up, progress into 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Scream Blue Murder (9-2) at Cork 5f stks in May.
Battleroftheboyne (IRE) 11-2 (8-5) Raced in near side group to halfway where 5th, dropped to 7th 1f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 10th of 20, 6l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp in Apr.
