soon led and clear, reduced lead 3f out, strongly pressed and joined 2f out, soon headed, lost place and no extra from over 1f out
chased leaders, moderate 4th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from under 2f out
soon settled in rear, no impression from over 2f out
soon settled towards rear, no impression from over 2f out, eased from over 1f out
waited with, soon 8th, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
soon chased leaders in 5th, no impression under pressure in 6th under 2f out, kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, ridden in pursuit of winner over 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
soon chased leader, niggled along approaching straight, closed 3f out, ridden to challenge and on terms 2f out, soon led and stayed on well final furlong
soon raced in 7th, went 3rd and no impression under pressure from over 1f out, kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, ridden in moderate 6th approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
John Oxx won this a year ago with the progressive Sharestan and Leopardstown maiden winner Zand is on the short-list despite a long absence. Aloof won a Group 3 at Gowran in September and generally performs well at this level while Meydan Group 2 winner Lines Of Battle returns from Churchill Downs where he was by no means disgraced in the Kentucky Derby. Captain Joy ran a tremendous race in a very tough handicap here last month when just failing to concede Fiesolana 11lb and is better suited than most to the fast conditions. TRADING LEATHER has to be the selection to gain his third victory. A Group 3 winner last season, he started this campaign with a narrow defeat by Derby runner-up Libertarian in the Dante before his third place behind Magician in the 2000 Guineas here, form that looks too strong for these rivals.
Ansgar (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, not much room over 2f out, soon no impression, 18th of 23, 12l behind Fiesolana (9-2) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in May.
Captain Joy (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Soon tracked leaders, ridden in pursuit of winner 1f out, kept on well without getting there final furlong, 2nd of 23, 1/2l behind Fiesolana (9-2) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in May.
Foxtrot Romeo (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, driven along early straight and no extra well over 1f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Reply (9-11) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gf.
Macbeth (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden into 5th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 7, 9l behind Voleuse De Coeurs (9-0) at Navan 1m 6f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) in May.
Salam Alaykum (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 3l behind Fairview Star (8-9) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp in May.
Aloof (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, dropped to 5th and no extra 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 7l behind Chigun (9-0) at Curragh 1m flls Grp 3 (1) gf in May.
Lines Of Battle (USA) 30-1 (9-0) Steadied 7/16,in close, 7th of 21, 12l behind Orb (9-0) at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 1 (1) in May.
Trading Leather (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Soon led and set strong pace, clear from halfway, reduced lead from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Magician (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Kingston Jamaica (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Led, went on after 3f, reduced lead 2f out, headed and no extra from 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, last of 4, 6l behind First Cornerstone (9-3) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Aug.
Zand (IRE) 4-5fav (9-5) Made all, pushed clear from under 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m mdn stks sft in Oct beating Ghaamer (9-5) by 4l, 11 ran.
