tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 4 out, travelling well and led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed after 2 out, headed approaching last, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 3rd, disputed lead 7th, bad mistake and headed next (4 out), dropped to moderate last entering straight, weakened
held up in 4th, dropped to last briefly 4 out, ridden in moderate 4th entering straight, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on without threatening leaders to go 3rd inside final furlong
held up in last, went moderate 4th 4 out, soon pushed along, 3rd on outer entering straight, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in
led, mistake 6th, joined next, led again from 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression and dropped to 4th inside final furlong
Cadmium had been racing over further before landing a Grade 3 over this trip at Naas, when Tycoon Prince was a long way behind. He's never won at this level nor on very testing ground but it will be a surprise if he isn't in contention. Woodland Opera has no problems with the grade or conditions and though he's probably better over a bit further he has the quality to make a bold bid. Ball D'Arc is the only one of these to have won on the track and these are his conditions. He's had two recent runs over hurdles which should have put him spot-on. DARASSO (NAP), a winner over hurdles and fences in France, had three runs over timber for Joseph O'Brien and was very impressive in a Grade 3 at Gowran. He has a chaser's pedigree and looks a youngster to follow over the bigger obstacles.
Cadmium (FR) 4-6fav (11-8) Prominent on outer, led 1st, headed from 2nd, raced in 2nd, on terms from 6th, led 3 out, pressed after 2 out, joined last, regained lead inside final furlong and stayed on well to assert closing stages, won at Naas 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Doctor Phoenix (11-8) by 3l, 4 ran.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Led, pushed along and headed 3 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner from next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Reminders in mid-division before 1st, further reminders and headway to track leaders before 2nd, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place before 4 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened, 17th of 18, dist behind Midnight Stroll (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Darasso (FR) 2-1jfav (11-1) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd on inner, briefly lost position after 3rd and pushed along, ridden in 3rd 3 out, headway into 2nd next, led after 2 out and quickly went clear, well clear at last and eased run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m (1) Yielding in Feb beating Forge Meadow (11-1) by 11l, 7 ran.
Tycoon Prince (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Waited with off the leading pair, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to last before 6th, under pressure 3 out and no impression, kept on run-in into distant 3rd near line, 3rd of 4, 32l behind Cadmium (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) gd in Feb.
