Verdict

Jim Bolger has won this for the past two years and Thia has plenty going for him having been placed behind the impressive Democracy at the Curragh. However, the runner-up was beaten at Naas on Saturday so the form may not be quite as strong as first thought. Joseph O'Brien has two entries. Nemonte is by Ten Sovereigns out of a Listed winner while ELLIPTICAL, a half-brother to three winners, will have come on markedly for last week's debut at the Curragh and may be good enough. Velvet Skies didn't quite get the run of the race at Tipperary. Tachos is by Gleneagles out of an all-weather winner while Spanish Flame is out of a mare who produced a 6f winner with her first offspring. The Caravaggio filly Pomeriggio hails from a yard in good form.

Formwatch

Elliptical (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, pushed along and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, never a factor, 8th of 9, 5l behind Do It With Style (9-1) at Curragh 6f mdn sft in May.

Spanish Flame (IRE) Phoenix Of Spain colt out of Alfea.

Pomeriggio (IRE) Caravaggio filly out of Vivere.

Nemonte (IRE) Ten Sovereigns filly out of Jumellea.

Courageous Strike National Defense colt out of Mademoiselle Marie.

Thia (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Disputed lead, headed after 2f, ridden 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, dropped to last 1f out, kept on without threatening leaders to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Democracy (9-7) at Curragh 6f mdn hvy in Apr.

Velvet Skies (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Prominent early, held up in rear after 1f, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, just held for 3rd, 4th of 5, 5l behind Son Of Corballis (9-5) at Tipperary 5f Yielding in Apr.

Tachos (IRE) Gleneagles filly out of Outside Inside.

Bhean Saibhre (IRE) Decorated Knight filly out of Island Odyssey.

Nika Pika (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Dwelt, soon prominent, a little keen, dropped to 5th and ridden over 1f out, one paced final furlong, 5th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Ribchestina (9-2) at Naas 6f mdn fll Soft - Heavy in Apr.