led, pushed along and headed entering straight, no extra over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in 11th 2f out, no extra
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress on outer approaching straight, travelled well to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out and soon edged right, kept on under pressure, headed close home
held up towards rear, ran freely, stumbled after 2f, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra, weakened
rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden 2f out and 8th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along entering straight and soon lost place, no extra over 1f out
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out and no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always towards rear, never a factor, no extra under 2f out, eased final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead briefly entering straight, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out and no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 2f out and ridden to go 2nd 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong to lead close home
mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along into 5th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd on line
broke well, soon lost place and 8th halfway, pushed along entering straight and ridden in 10th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
It's a surprise that Jim Bolger has been unable to find a race for SAAFAAR, runner-up to The Gurkha at Navan in April before not beaten far in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. He's starting to look exposed but this looks a good opportunity. The Major General has made steady progress and might have got much closer at Naas last time if ridden with more restraint. Ryan Moore takes over the reins and Aidan O'Brien's charge looks a real danger. Mighty Legend finished in front of him in that latter event and with his stable in good form he's another who should be in the shake-up while Mutadaffeq caught the eye in no uncertain terms here in August and he's definitely one to keep on the right side. Zabalan's dam produced the Group 3 winner Zannda with her first foal so Dermot Weld's newcomer is another to note.
Kalawar (USA) 33-1 (10-5) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 13, dist behind Flying Bullet (9-5) at Naas 1m 2f mdn Yielding - Soft in May.
Sports Barrow (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Chased leader, mistake 1st, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no exra after 3 out, weakened entering straight, 7th of 8, dist behind Rashaan (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Secret Splendour (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Raced 8th, pushed along in 7th 2 1/2f out, ridden in 6th 2f out, progress to 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong to almost snatch 3rd on line, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Synopsis (9-0) at Curragh 1m 1f mdn fll gd in Oct.
Barbel (GER) 66-1 (9-5) Towards rear, 10th 4f out, ridden on inner from 2f out, no impression from over 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Strada Di Carsoli (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in May.
Big Country (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride and in rear, took keen hold early, ridden along halfway, went moderate 8th 2f out, no impression, 8th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Flying Bullet (9-5) at Naas 1m 2f mdn Yielding - Soft in May.
Kalamkan (USA) Kitten's Joy colt out of Kaloura.
Mighty Legend (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders on inner, 7th on inner 4f out, ridden in 6th 3f out, 5th 2f out, headway into 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well, just failed, 2nd of 13, hd behind Flying Bullet (9-5) at Naas 1m 2f mdn Yielding - Soft in May.
Presidio (IRE) Shamardal gelding out of Texas Tammy.
Saafarr 66-1 (9-3) Broke well to lead, 2 lengths clear halfway, headed entering straight, driven 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, dropped to 5th closing stages, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Moonlight Magic (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Sean O'Casey (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Flying Bullet (9-5) at Naas 1m 2f mdn Yielding - Soft in May.
The Major General (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th 4f out, improved to dispute lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Flying Bullet (9-5) at Naas 1m 2f mdn Yielding - Soft in May.
Zabalan (IRE) Dutch Art colt out of Zanoubiya.
Nonetheless (IRE) Fastnet Rock filly out of Twinkling.
Dreaming Voice (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division, soon raced in 9th, reminder over 4f out, soon under pressure, 11th and no impression into straight, soon no extra, eased inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 30 1/4l behind Bhutan (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn hvy in Apr.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Soon held up, towards rear halfway, ridden into 6th 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th at line, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Ezanak (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m 1f mdn gd in Apr.
Mutadaffeq (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride and in rear, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden, went moderate 7th 1f out, headway on inner to go 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Restive (9-5) at Curragh 1m mdn Good - Yielding in Aug.
