made all, ridden along on bend entering straight, strongly pressed from 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
chased leader in 2nd throughout, travelling well in close 2nd 3f out, soon ridden, close 2nd 2f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd throughout, ridden along entering straight, no impression in moderate 3rd 2f out
A shocking turnout numerically and though MEKONG RIVER is likely to start a short-price it may not be as simple as it appears. The son of Galileo out of a Fillies Mile winner finished runner-up when long odds-on at Gowran but was awarded the race by the stewards. An entry in a Group 2 next month suggests a lot more is expected though this could easily turn into a tactical race. Zakhm has looked in need of a stiffer test on his latest runs over 7f though whether he'll get that in a three-runner race is debatable but Bleeding Hearts could hardly have been more impressive when landing a Bellewstown maiden and in receipt of 6lb it would be no great shock to see him gain the upper hand.
Mekong River (IRE) 4-9fav (9-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, soon disputed 2nd, hampered under 1f out, kept on to press winner close home and drifted right (promoted to first), won at Gowran Park 7f 2yo mdn gd beating Green Tag (9-5) by nk, 8 ran.
Zakhm (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Soon raced in 3rd, ridden in 2nd before straight, soon no impression, 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace and 3rd again close home, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Friendship (9-9) at Tipperary 7f 2yo hcp gd.
Bleeding Hearts (IRE) 8-11fav (9-5) Soon brought across to rail and led and disputed, asserted under 2f out, clear 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Bellewstown 1m 2yo mdn aut gd beating Feeltherhythm (8-11) by 6l, 9 ran.
