tracked leaders, 3rd on inner halfway, pushed along in 4th entering straight, no extra from over 1f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear, never a factor, ridden and no extra in rear under 2f out, weakened
tracked leader, ran freely, 2nd halfway, travelled well to lead over 1f out, soon asserted and stayed on well inside final furlong
towards rear, ran freely, ridden to go moderate 5th under 2f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home
tracked leaders on outer, ran freely, 4th halfway, pushed along and no extra 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders, ran freely, 5th halfway, pushed along to go 3rd entering straight, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
dwelt, towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and moderate 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
led, pushed along and headed over 1f out, no impression on winner and kept on one pace inside final furlong
Dermot Weld won this a year ago with a short-priced favourite and ARAQEEL can follow suit despite a long absence. An improver in all three starts in his first season, he hasn't been seen since a close third behind subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Awtaad at Leopardstown in October but should be ready for this and gets the vote. Zauffaly has been placed several times in the UK for Ed Dunlop and should find a race for new connections in Ireland. The remainder with experience have shown very little though Circuit Breaker can improve for his run at Killarney while newcomer Aphoristic has a brilliant pedigree being by Street Cry out of a USA Grade 1 winner but was picked up for £3,000 at the Doncaster Sales in May.
Michael James (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, switched right to outer and progress 2f out, soon no impression, kept on, 7th of 13, 7 1/4l behind My Painter (9-4) at Bellewstown 1m mdn Yielding in Aug.
Aphoristic (IRE) Street Cry gelding out of Sutra.
Araqeel 7-1 (9-5) Led, headed before halfway, led again over 2f out, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Awtaad (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f mdn gd in Oct.
Bishop Of Bling (IRE) Big Bad Bob gelding out of Convent Girl.
Circuit Breaker 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 7th halfway and soon pushed along, ridden to go moderate 5th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Look Closer (9-5) at Killarney 1m mdn gf in Aug.
Lech Tall (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Soon led and disputed, led after 4f, ridden and headed 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 11, 12l behind Crocodile Shoes (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 2f mdn gd in Aug.
Touch And Go (IRE) 100-1 (9-2) Very slowly away, soon in touch, 12th halfway, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in rear over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Youceeyouceecee (9-7) at Tipperary 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in May.
Zauffaly (FR) 11-8 (9-5) In touch, headway between horses over 3f out, ridden well over 2f out, staye don into well held 2nd close home, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Threat Assessed (9-5) at Chepstow 1m mdn stks (6) sft in May.
