chased leaders, hard ridden in 5th 4f out, 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, stayed on well under pressure to lead close home
mid-division, ridden entering straight, 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd final furlong (finished 3rd, disqualified and placed 4th)
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden entering straight, no impression from 2f out
led early, 2nd before halfway, ridden and weakened from 2 1/2f out
in rear, headway on outer entering straight, ridden in moderate 6th on outer 2f out, no extra
soon led, ridden and strongly pressed from 2f out, headed and no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden entering straight, 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra
dwelt and towards rear, no impression from 3f out
chased leaders, 3rd entering straight, soon ridden, no impression on leaders in 4th when checked briefly under 1f out, kept on (finished 4th, awarded 3rd place)
in rear, no impression from 3f out
The three-year-old LOVE IS THE KEY has yet to win a race but she's come close on several occasions and produced another fine effort behind the in-form Bubbly Bellini at Limerick. This is no easy task against older horses but she's on the same mark and this looks within her capabilities. Gagnant was a couple of lengths behind at Limerick and looks held but Balladiene is in excellent form and a 4lb rise for his victory on heavy ground at Leopardstown shouldn't prevent another big run. Adam's Return was behind in that latter event and it's difficult to see him reversing the form on these terms.
Balladiene (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, closed on clear leader in straight and challenged over 1f out, kept on under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won at Leopardstown 1m hcp 50-75 sft in Jun beating Man Of Erin (9-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Daring Man (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Soon close up and disputed lead, headed and no extra from over 1f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Kateeva (8-8) at Curragh 6f hcp 50-80 sft in Jun.
Adam's Return (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Mid-division, 8th halfway, some headway over 1f out, kept on same pace without troubling leaders, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Balladiene (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m hcp 50-75 sft in Jun.
Hurricane Twister (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, last of 14, 12l behind Billyford (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Jan.
Gagnant (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Waited with towards rear, progress 2f out, chased leaders and no impression inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 4l behind Bubbly Bellini (9-8) at Limerick 7f stks sft in Jun.
Jumbo Steps (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, no extra from over 1f out, 14th of 15, 19l behind Ondeafears (9-4) at Cork 6f Apprentice Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) in Oct.
Love Is The Key (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Soon towards rear, progress under pressure to go in pursuit of easy winner inside final furlong, no impression and kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Bubbly Bellini (9-8) at Limerick 7f stks sft in Jun.
Perfect Godess (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, no threat under 2f out, 13th of 20, 9l behind Possible (9-5) at Naas 5f 3yo hcp 47-70 in May.
Fit The Cove (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Soon led, joined under 4f out, dropped to 4th from 2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 9th of 12, 10l behind Bubbly Bellini (9-8) at Limerick 7f stks sft in Jun.
Hazel Wand (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 7l behind Mr Red Clubs (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo clm stks pol in Nov.
