Verdict
Stepping BUCKINGHAM GATE up to this trip smacks of desperation as he was beaten 15l by Pale Mimosa at Galway. However, the winner landed a Listed contest at York last week so Aidan O'Brien's colt, who won't be meeting anything of her calibre here, is handed the vote. Train Of Thought looked a progressive type when landing a novice hurdle at Galway but ran poorly on the Flat there a few days later and may have been feeling the strain. Missunited, a dual winning bumper and successful hurdler, has no problems with the trip as she showed when beaten a short-head by Oilily at Leopardstown. She's an obvious threat while Azanara is related to nine winners and will have come on for her opening run at Leopardstown earlier this month.
Formwatch
First Impressions (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Slowly away, took keen hold towards rear, headway from 5f out, ridden in 5th 3f out, no impression from 2f out, 4th of 10, 7l behind Double Double (9-7) at Sligo 1m 4f Apprentice Maiden Stakes (4yo+).
Morning Ireland (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, well off pace, ridden in moderate 3rd 4f out, dropped to last and no extra approaching 2f out, last of 6, 21l behind Ceol Rua (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks sft in Jun.
Train Of Thought (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no extra 2f out, 6th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 7, 15l behind Top Man Michael (8-0) at Galway 1m 4f hcp 50-80 sft.
Manas Lady (IRE) Golan mare out of Polissena.
Missunited (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, good headway approaching straight and went 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on under pressure, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Oilily (10-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks gs in Jul.
Buckingham Gate (IRE) 2-1 (9-5) Attempted to make all, pressed and joined 3f out, headed approaching 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Pale Mimosa (9-0) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo mdn sft.
Azanara (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra, 8th of 20, 8l behind Something Graceful (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks gs.
