raced 3rd, 4th before halfway, no impression over 2f out, no extra 2f out
ran freely towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along and headway over 2f out, no impression on winner, kept on to 2nd final strides, never nearer
ran freely towards rear, 5th halfway, under pressure and dropped to 6th over 4f out, soon weakened, completely tailed off
rear, 7th halfway, weakened and detached under 4f out, never a factor, tailed off
led, 1 length clear halfway, travelled well over 2f out, asserted over 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably
tracked leader and ran freely, 3rd before halfway, progress to 2nd under 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace final furlong, dropped to 3rd final strides
ran 4th, headway to 2nd before halfway, dropped to 3rd under 4f out, weakened over 2f out
SANCTA SIMONA, a very impressive winner at Kilbeggan on soft ground in May, is taking on better company but looks the type to follow until beaten. Her stable companion Queens Boulevard battled on well to make a successful start at Sligo and will come on again while Vocarium had some smart early form but hasn't run since well beaten in a Cheltenham Listed contest in November. Kalum River has a very nice pedigree for this game and defied a big SP to make a successful debut at Punchestown in April. Derek O'Connor's presence suggests he's been trained for this and he looks the main threat.
Vocarium (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Mid-division on inside, outpaced over 3f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Crooks Peak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Kalum River (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Barrington Court (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Anakar (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Soon prominent and led after a couple of furlongs, joined 5f out, pushed along before straight, soon headed and weakened, 6th of 8, 37 3/4l behind Sois Gentil (12-0) at Clonmel 2m gd in Sep.
Kerry Dawn (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 3rd over 4f out, weakened under 3f out, 8th of 11, 28 1/2l behind Kingston Girl (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Queens Boulevard 4-7fav (11-7) Chased leaders and 3rd from halfway, took closer order from over 2f out and soon improved to dispute lead, led over 1f out and kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Sligo 2m 2f gd in Jul beating Just A Boy (11-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sancta Simona (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Settled towards rear and 7th halfway, improved into closer 5th from 4f out, further progress to challenge on outer from 2f out, led from 1f out and kept on strongly inside final furlong, very easily, won at Kilbeggan 2m sft in May beating Active Force (12-0) by 11l, 8 ran.
Dedanann (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 6f out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Curramore (11-7) at Sligo 2m 2f gd in Aug.
