chased leaders, improved into 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 2 1/2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden 2 1/2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression on leader over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader early, 3rd halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on again inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
Three of these clashed in the race won by Stormy Tale at Roscommon two weeks ago. The Last Indian fared best and can again beat Bercasa and Elm Grove but the winner was well beaten at Down Royal on Saturday. Monaco Rose beat FLICKER FLAME four lengths at Down Royal last month, with Stormy Tale a distant third, and then scrambled home at Leopardstown. But Joseph O’Brien’s mare is now 7lb better and will also strip fitter today so, being lightly-raced, can turn the tables. Echo Park usually takes on stronger opposition so is not out of this but the trip looks on the short side for Upgraded.
Flicker Flame (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) In rear, headway on inner over 2f out and went 2nd 1 1/2f out, ridden and no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Monaco Rose (8-4) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp fll Good - Yielding in May.
Elm Grove (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Disputed, headed after 1f, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Stormy Tale (8-11) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp fll sft in Jun.
The Last Indian (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division early, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, stayed on to press leader inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Stormy Tale (8-11) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp fll sft in Jun.
Monaco Rose 6-1 (9-0) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, travelled well in 3rd 2f out, switched out to challenge 1 1/2f out, soon disputed, ridden into narrow lead 1f out, soon edged right, strongly pressed inside final furlong, all out close home and just held on, won at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gd in Jun beating Walking On Glass (8-7) by ns, 13 ran.
Bercasa (IRE) 3-1fav (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden to progress on outer 2f out, 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on to press leader inside final furlong, held in 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Stormy Tale (8-11) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp fll sft in Jun.
Upgraded (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Disputed lead early, prominent, soon 3rd, switched right under 3f out and not much room, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Shakespear'sgalley (8-10) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in May.
Echo Park (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Disputed lead early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight and ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 14th of 18, 8 1/4l behind Insignia Of Rank (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gf in May.
