in rear early, headway to lead inside first 2f, pressed from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace and just held on for 2nd
prominent, soon 2nd, challenged and every chance from 2f out, no extra when slightly impeded and switched right inside final furlong, one pace
soon led, headed inside first 2f and raced in 3rd, switched right towards outer over 2f out, soon effort, led inside final furlong, kept on well
led briefly early, soon in rear, raced on outer straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon raced in 4th, headway towards outer straight, kept on without reaching front pair closing stages,
soon raced in 5th, slightly impeded over 2f out, soon switched left towards inner, slightly impeded inside final furlong and no impression, switched right and kept on close home
Justifier carries a penalty for a Listed success at Tipperary but was by no means disgraced in the Group 2 Futurity at the Curragh next time. Above arrives from the UK with three victories under his belt and was only caught in the closing stages in a Group 3 in Germany last time. Punita Arora landed a Navan maiden over 5f but looked as this was more her trip when staying on in a Leopardstown Listed contest. Chrysalism and Unforgetable represent Joseph O'Brien with preference for the latter, runner-up to the smart Love in a Leopardstown Group 3 before finding fast going against her in a lucrative sales race at Doncaster. Stela Star will need to improve from her neck victory over the track and trip but FORT MYERS looks the one to beat. A debut winner here in April, he's been operating at Group level all summer and has never been beaten far so this should be his level.
Justifier (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, 3rd at halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out,3rd 1f out, 4th inside final furlong, no impression when checked close home, 5th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Armory (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Above (FR) (9-0) 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Alson (9-0) at Baden-Baden 7f Grp 3 stks gd in Aug.
Fort Myers (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 1 1/2l behind Threat (9-3) at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Sep.
Chrysalism (IRE) 2-1 (9-3) Mid-division, switched left and went 4th under 2f out, soon ridden and progress in 2nd over 1f out, under pressure and led 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 7f gd in Sep beating Vormir (8-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Punita Arora (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) A little slow into stride, a little keen, towards rear, pushed along in last before straight where raced on outer, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Blissful (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f lst fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Unforgetable (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Prominent, effort to lead narrowly 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong, 10th of 20, 5 1/4l behind King's Lynn (8-9) at Doncaster 7f stks (2) gf in Sep.
Stela Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Soon prominent, challenged straight, on terms under 2f out, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, kept on well to just prevail, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Sep beating Sliabh Aughty (9-7) by nk, 14 ran.
