soon led, pressed and headed 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, dropped to 3rd over 100 yards out
settled 4th, pushed along over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, progress to 3rd 1f out, kept on well to 2nd under 1f out, not trouble winner
held up 3rd, pushed along over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace 1f out, no impression leaders
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along to lead narrowly 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong
Mick Halford has won the last two of these including with Slipper Orchid a year ago. He returned to action after a spell in Dubai with a fair run in a Naas Listed contest last week and is no forlorn hope to complete the double. Vitally Important was carrying a big weight when landing a handicap on that same Naas card which sees him having to carry a 5lb penalty. Geoffrey Chaucer looked potentially top-nothch when unbeaten in two juvenile runs but things have gone badly wrong having beaten just two of his 45 opponents home in his last four starts. His victories were achieved on quick ground so perhaps tonight's conditions will bring about a revival. Dandyleekie hasn't shown enough to warrant consideration but TAMADHOR (NAP) certainly has. Kevin Prendergast's filly - a Listed winner on fast going at Leopardstown - made a very pleasing return to action in the Irish 1000 Guineas when beaten less than four lengths and should have come on enough to take this before heading for better things.
Geoffrey Chaucer (USA) 14-1 (9-9) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along to challenge 2f out, no extra and dropped to last from over 50yds out, last of 7, 3 1/2l behind Onenightidreamed (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) hvy in May.
Slipper Orchid (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Soon raced in 9th, pushed along 2 1/2f out, soon not much room behind horses, no impression 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Heaven's Guest (9-11) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gd.
Dandyleekie (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Raced in 7th, pushed along in 4th under 3f out, driven 2f out, no impression under 1f out, 7th of 16, 6l behind Captain My Captain (8-12) at Naas 6f 2yo hcp in Oct.
Tamadhor (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Loaded without rider, held up, soon raced in 14th, 10th 3f out, pushed along and switched left 2f out, chased leaders 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 18, 4l behind Pleascach (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Vitally Important (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, soon 9th, headway travelling smoothly from 3f out, led over 1 1/2f out, edged slightly left inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on well, won at Naas 7f hcp beating Strait Of Zanzibar (9-4) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
