raced mainly in 5th, 6th 4f out, ridden under 2f out and challenged in 2nd 1f out, no extra close home and dropped to 4th on line
raced in 4th before improving into 2nd after 6f, challenged and disputed from 4f out, ridden to lead from 2f out and kept on well inside final furlong
soon led, pressed and joined from 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra and weakened from 1 1/2f out
raced mainly in 7th, dropped to rear 6f out, ridden over 3f out and kept on from under 2f out
raced mainly in 6th, 5th 4f out, ridden over 2f out, 4th 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd on line
settled in 2nd, dropped to 3rd after 6f, ridden under 3f out and soon weakened, no impression under 2f out
raced in rear, progress into 5th 6f out and 4th 4f out, ridden from 2f out and 3rd 1f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong without troubling winner
raced in 3rd, dropped to 4th after 5f, 7th 4f out and soon ridden, no impression from over 1f out
Almost all of these would be better with a few flights of hurdles to jump though not EL SALVADOR, who should add to his tally of five victories in 18 starts. Sarah O'Brien rode him to a comfortable victory in a similar race at Bellewstown though it was his second to Pique Sous in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot that points to his obvious chance. Il Fenomeno has won five times on the Flat but is much better known as a hurdler though he appears to have lost his form after a spell over fences. Call To Battle won a Listed contest and was placed twice at Group level for John Oxx but has been beaten out of sight in three races over hurdles for new connections. Cardinal Palace has been very disappointing since his victory at Dundalk in October and finished tailed off in the Cork Derby last month but Gambling Girl is in excellent shape and though she'll need to improve on her Leopardstown victory there's every chance she'll do so and rates the main threat.
Cardinal Palace (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 10th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and soon no extra, eased 2f out, completely tailed off, last of 14, well behind Chance To Dance (9-3) at Cork 1m 4f pren hcp gf in Jun.
El Salvador (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged and led 1f out, ridden out to assert inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Bellewstown 1m 4f am stks (4yo+) gd beating Orgilgo Bay (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, 12th of 14, 27l behind Lindenhurst (9-5) at Bellewstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gd.
Redera (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 10th 4f out, ridden in 7th entering straight, no extra, 12th of 18, 7l behind Pique Sous (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Gambling Girl (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Raced mainly in 5th, ridden 2f out and soon improved into 3rd, challenged inside final furlong and kept on best closing stages to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f mdn stks gf beating Pink Hat (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Call To Battle (IRE) 2-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and joined leader 3f out, every chance when not much room over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Mickdaam (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) sft in May '12.
Fire Fighter (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Chased leader, closer in 4th after 4f, no impression early straight, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Marchese Marconi (10-11) at Limerick 2m am stks (4yo+) gd in Jun.
Il Fenomeno (ITY) 5-1 (8-11) last of 7, well behind Voila Ici (8-11) at San Siro(ITY) 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Sep '10.
