tracked leaders, close up when not clear run between last 2, ridden to lead narrowly when gap appeared approaching last, edged right flat, kept on, asserted final 75 yards
tracked leaders on inside, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon weakened and eased, pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on to challenge approaching last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra and held final 75 yards
held up in touch, tracked leaders after 3 out, outpaced after next, no impression when switched inside before last, soon weakened
held up behind, mistake 4th, chased leaders after 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, weakened approaching last
prominent, joined leader before 3rd, not fluent and lost place 3 out, soon back on terms, effort turning in, soon ridden, outpaced when left 3rd last, kept on, no chance with front pair flat
led narrowly to after 1st, remained in touch, outpaced when hit 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, tailed off
travelled well, tracked leaders, close up after 3 out, shaken up in 3rd turning in, ridden and not quicken between last 2, 5th and held when left 4th at last, kept on but no threat after
raced keenly, led narrowly after 1st, came towards stands side rail turning in, soon driven, headed and one pace in 3rd when fell last
A much smaller field than usual for this juveniles’ Grade 1 and almost half the field hails from the Mullins’ yard, though the favourite is trained by Nicky Henderson. APPLE’S SHAKIRA is bidding to become the first filly since Snow Drop 18 years ago to win this but she runs in the same colours as last year’s winner, Defi Du Seuil, and has won all three starts around here so far with the minimum of fuss. Snow Drop won the Adonis before landing this, as did another filly Mysilv, and Redicean won that Kempton Grade 2 last month to complete the hat-trick. The latter seems to handle soft going but today’s surface may be a bit too testing. Stormy Ireland looks the pick of his yard’s quartet even though Mr Adjudicator and Saldier are unbeaten. Sussex Ranger is tough but Farclas has more scope and might be a better each-way bet.
Farclas (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, pushed along from 2 out, led into straight, soon strongly pressed, joined before last where just headed, kept on without matching winner close home, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Mr Adjudicator (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Gumball (FR) 11-8 (11-6) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, ridden to lead before 2 out, went left and headed last, no impression on winner flat, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Esprit De Somoza (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (2) sft in Jan.
Mr Adjudicator 3-1 (11-0) In rear, closed up to challenge straight, on terms before last where just led, stayed on best close home, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Farclas (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Redicean 10-11fav (11-1) In touch in main group, close up 4 out, challenged on inside before 2 out, led soon after, ridden readily clear before last, ran on, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Malaya (10-10) by 7l, 7 ran.
Saldier (FR) 4-9fav (11-7) Chased leader in 2nd, disputed from 4th, led entering straight, eased clear before last, not extended, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Feb beating Big Ego (11-7) by 10l, 14 ran.
Sayo 8-11fav (11-7) Tracked leader, slight mistake 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon dropped to 6th, ridden in 4th after 2 out, stayed on and closer in 3rd at last where slight mistake, switched out run-in and ran on well to lead close home, won at Naas 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Les Arceaux (11-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Sussex Ranger (USA) 11-8fav (9-6) Chased leaders, pushed along on outside 3f out, every chance 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Native Fighter (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Apple's Shakira (FR) 1-7fav (10-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 2nd, went 2nd before 2 out, driven to challenge approaching last, led flat, ridden clear final 150 yards, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan beating Look My Way (11-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 2-7fav (10-7) Made all, went well clear from 5th, distance clear travelling well from 3 out, stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating North Carolina (11-0) by dist, 11 ran.
