chased leader, 3rd after 4f, 2nd 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
keen hold in 4th early, soon chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd after 4f, 3rd 3f out, close up 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, just held for 2nd
led, pushed along 4f out, ridden under 3f out, challenged 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, headed close home, just held 2nd
chased leaders early, soon settled 4th, pushed along 4f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, ran on well final furlong to lead close home
dwelt and in rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and no impression under 3f out, kept on one pace
Aidan O'Brien won this last year with Beach Of Falesa and though League Of Nations will make a bold bid to complete the stable double he struggled under an 8lb weight rise for his Navan victory when sent to Leopardstown. The concession of 13lb to the lightly-raced ABU NAYEF may prove beyond him as John Oxx' charge looked an improved performer when runner-up to the useful Jazz Girl at Fairyhouse and looks the one to be on. Lady Giselle makes her handicap debut after a facile victory in a Listowel maiden but all of her runs to date have been on testing ground. Kiss Goodnight ran poorly when encountering fast going for the first time at Gowran while Land A Blow may just lack the experience for this on his handicap debut.
League Of Nations (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Tracked leaders on inner and 5th halfway, ridden entering straight and dropped to rear 1 1/2f out, soon switched right and kept on inside final furlong to go 4th on line, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Teoirim (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo hcp gf.
Kiss Goodnight (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, soon 5th, kept on same pace under pressure from under 2f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Seussical (9-12) at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo hcp gf in May.
Lady Giselle (IRE) 6-4 (9-0) Pushed up to dispute early and led after 1f, ridden to assert early straight and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Listowel 1m 3yo mdn aut sft in Jun beating Cocktail Hour (9-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Abu Nayef (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Jazz Girl (10-0) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f stks 0-80 gd.
Land A Blow (FR) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 3l behind Great Explorer (9-5) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f mdn stks gd.
