made all, pushed along under 2f out, ridden 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight, soon ridden and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden on outer 2f out and no extra over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 2f out and some headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along and detached before halfway, ridden and some headway over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along under 2f out and no impression on inner 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along approaching straight, ridden 2f out and no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
Joseph O'Brien had plenty to choose from at the early stage and relies on PALACE GUARD (NAP) and Airbell with preference for the former. He had War Hero just behind over 7f three weeks ago and meets that rival on 2lb better terms. Patrick Joseph made a fair handicap debut in the same race, his first real sign of ability, and can improve enough to go close while Adaliya had been looking progressive before comfortably landing a maiden in December and an opening mark of 79 looks fair. Smiling Eliza has yet to win but she's gone close here on a couple of occasions and is greatly respected.
Adaliya (IRE) 4-5fav (9-0) Soon led, travelling smoothly straight, edged slightly right and asserted final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Dec beating Stranagone (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
War Hero (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and close up 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1 1/2f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Palace Guard (9-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Palace Guard (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders on inner 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, narrow lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan beating War Hero (10-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Palariva (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Theobald (9-7) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Aibell (IRE) 11-10fav (9-0) Prominent, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden to dispute over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, just held for 3rd close home, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Florista (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Jan.
Bye Bye Brussels (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Karakour (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Jan.
Ragtime Red (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Soon towards rear, last halfway, no extra from over 1f out, last of 16, 17 1/2l behind Beckford (9-5) at Curragh 6f mdn gd in May.
Smiling Eliza (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Soon led, headed after 2f, prominent, on terms again over 1f out, headed and kept on without matching 1st 2 closing stages, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Paparazzi (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Patrick Joseph 12-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, progress on outer 2f out, ridden into 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Palace Guard (9-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Taylor Velvet (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Prominent briefly, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and close behind leaders 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 12, 3l behind Palace Guard (9-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Innamorare (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Soon towards rear, no impression 2f out, 10th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Damselfly (9-6) at Leopardstown 7f fll Yielding in Oct.
