tracked leader in 2nd, challenged under 2f out, led over 1f out, narrowly headed 150 yards out, no extra
very slowly away and detached, closed up on field 5f out, driven 3f out, no impression and eased over 1f out
mid-division, 3rd under 5f out,ridden under 2f out and dropped to 6th, no extra
tracked leader, 4th halfway, pushed along in 3rd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on
rear of mid-division, 5th halfway, under pressure entering straight, bit short of room in 5th over 1f out, checked in final furlong and no impression
held up in rear, 7th halfway, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and stayed on for 4th close home
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along into 6th entering straight, stayed on strongly 2f out, led 150 yards out, kept on well
Dermot Weld won this three years in succession with Famous Name and has entered MUSTAJEEB this time. The only three-year-old in the race, his second place behind subsequent Dewhurst winner War Command in the Futurity at the Curragh is high class form and he'll need to win here to justify his classic entries. He's given the vote though Penitent, who has won 10 races including two at Listed level last season, looks a big threat. One Spirit is a course and distance winner and generally competed well at this level last season but it's hard to know what to make of Afonso De Sousa, who won by nine lengths over 6f here as a juvenile but was well beaten in the Irish Lincoln in March. Brendan Brackan and Ansgar are closely matched on their 1-2 in a Curragh Group 3 in September while Qewy looked an improved performer when making all in a Listed event over the track and trip last month.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) 15th of 16, 14l behind Shuruq (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) in Mar.
Leitir Mor (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Held up in near side group to 2f out where 9th, no impression under pressure in moderate 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 5l behind Guerre (9-0) at Naas 5f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
Penitent 5-1 (9-1) Led, hard ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Tullius (9-1) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) sft in Apr.
Qewy (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden over 1f out and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m Listed stks (1) hvy in Apr beating Pop Art (9-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
One Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 8th 2f out, weakened, 9th of 12, 12l behind La Collina (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m flls Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Pearl Of Africa (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) 3rd of 6, 2l behind L'amour De Ma Vie (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 flls gd in Feb.
Pop Art (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders early, soon raced in 5th, still travelling smoothly and not much room behind leaders from 1 1/2f out, got clear run and no impression inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 4l behind Sruthan (9-10) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) in Apr.
Mustajeeb 7-2 (9-3) Chased leader in 2nd, raced green and brought to centre before halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, regained 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 5, 3l behind War Command (9-6) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Afonso De Sousa (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, 19th of 21, 36l behind Stuccodor (9-9) at Curragh 1m Premier Handicap (4yo+) in Mar.
Ansgar (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 9l behind Fiesolana (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Dandy Boy (ITY) 8-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 6l behind Top Notch Tonto (9-3) at Redcar 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Oct.
