tracked leader, lost place under pressure from 2f out, soon no extra and eased when beaten
tracked leaders, weakened from 3f out, eased when beaten
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden in close 5th from 3f out, 4th from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
in rear, closer in 2nd from 2f out, ridden to gain narrow lead briefly 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and dropped to 3rd closing stages
led, strongly pressed and narrowly headed 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on into 2nd without troubling winner closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd travelling well from 2f out, pushed out to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
Gan Amhras has completely lost his form and was almost tailed off at Listowel last time though he has never looked comfortable over 1m4f. Mount Helicon has been in tremendous form on the Flat and over hurdles though he has never run over a trip as short as this since his juvenile days. Mid Mon Lady had Buy Back Bob almost four lengths behind when scoring over the trip on similar ground at Fairyhouse in July and can go well but it would take a leap of faith to trust in Don Carlos, who hasn't been seen since a very moderate effort behind Bullet Train in the Derby Trial at Lingfield in May. CHOOSE ME hasn't won since landing a Listed contest at Tipperary on heavy ground just over a year ago, but she's contested nine pattern races subsequently and her narrow defeat by Eleanora Duse in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh last month would be good enough for this.
Gan Amhras (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Soon raced in moderate 5th, no extra from before straight, 7th of 8, 31l behind Clearwater Bay (9-2) at Listowel 1m 4f cond Stakes gd in Sep.
Lisselan Blue Sky (IRE) (8-11) 98th of 18, 11l behind Elguera Noir (8-11) at Compiegne(FR) 1m 4f stks gs in Jul '09.
Mount Helicon 20-1 (11-9) Chased leader, improved to lead from 4f out, attempted to assert under pressure approaching straight, joined over 1f out, soon narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Admiral Barry (10-1) at Galway 2m am hcp 70-100 in Jul.
Mid Mon Lady (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, last travelling well entering straight, 5th and ridden 1f out, kept on well, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Gitano Hernando (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) pol.
Choose Me (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden straight, kept on one paced, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Shareen (8-11) at Gowran Park 1m 1f flls Group 3 stks (1) in Sep.
Don Carlos (GER) 16-1 (8-12) Dwelt, behind, progress to chase leaders over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened, 6th of 7, 10l behind Bullet Train (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in May.
Buy Back Bob (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) In rear early, rapid progress on outer into 2nd before halfway, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Rare Symphony (8-13) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 60-95 3yo in Sep.
Shirley Blake (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Tracked leaders in 5th, smooth headway entering straight, 2nd and challenged 1 1/2f out, led 100 yards from finish, kept on well, won at Listowel 1m fll mdn stks in Sep beating Lucky Beguine (9-0) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
