close up, soon tracked leader, moderate 2nd from halfway, lost place from over 2f out, soon weakened
soon chased leaders, off the pace, ridden along from 3f out, no impression in moderate 4th and kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon well off pace towards rear, ridden along from 3f out, no impression in moderate 6th and kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon off the pace in mid-division, ridden along from 3f out, last and kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon off the pace in mid-division, ridden along to close from 3f out, moderate 3rd and no impression from over 1f out, kept on without threatening into 2nd inside final furlong
soon well off pace towards rear, ridden along from 3f out, no impression in moderate 8th and kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon well off the pace towards rear, ridden along from 3f out, moderate 5th and no impression from over 1f out, kept on same pace
soon chased leaders in 3rd, in pursuit of clear leader from over 2f out, soon pushed along, led over 1f out, stayed on well to draw clear inside final furlong, comfortably
soon led and set strong pace, clear from halfway, reduced lead from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon chased leaders off the pace, ridden along from 3f out, no impression in moderate 7th from over 1f out
No Irish trainer apart from Aidan O'Brien, who has eight victories to his credit, has won this in the past 25 years and he has four representatives this time. Joseph has chosen MAGICIAN, who surprisingly steps down in trip after his impressive victory in Chester's Dee Stakes. That race was run at a slow pace and the son of Galileo showed a fine turn of foot in the straight so today's trip should hold no fears. He looks the one to be on with George Vancouver probably the pick of the remaining Ballydoyle trio and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner can put a moderate effort in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket behind him. Jim Bolger has never won this and Trading Leather, beaten by shock winner Libertarian in the Dante at York, doesn't look quite up to putting matters right. Richard Hannon scored with Canford Cliffs in 2010 and the 2000 Guineas third Van Der Neer represents him here along with Group 3 winner Havana Gold. The former is bred for pace and did well to stay on at Newmarket so has to be on the short-list. Amazingly, Johnny Murtagh has his first ever runners as a trainer in this classic and Fort Knox is no forlorn hope to give him a dream start having looked a really smart performer when landing a Listed race at Leopardstown. He's a full-brother to the classy Dubawi Gold and looks certain to make his presence felt.
Ask Dad 7-1 (9-10) Soon mid-division, under pressure in 13th 1f out, kept on same pace, 11th of 18, 7l behind Gathering Power (8-8) at Naas 6f 3yo hcp.
First Cornerstone (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly over 2f out, driven over 1f out, unable to quicken entering final furlong, no impression and one pace after, 4th of 7, 4l behind Kingsbarns (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Flying The Flag (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) 9th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Style Vendome (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) hvy.
Fort Knox 7-1 (9-3) Settled in rear, ridden and progress in 5th 1 1/2f out, ran on well final furlong to lead final 100 yards, comfortably at line, won at Leopardstown 1m 3yo lst stk (1) sft in Apr beating Dont Bother Me (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Gale Force Ten 10-1 (9-2) 4th of 18, 1/2l behind Style Vendome (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) hvy.
George Vancouver (USA) 20-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 15l behind Dawn Approach (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
Havana Gold 20-1 (9-2) 5th of 18, 3/4l behind Style Vendome (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) hvy.
Magician (IRE) 13-8fav (8-12) Tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, led and came towards stands' side over 1f out, soon quickened away, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs beating Contributer (8-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Trading Leather (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Libertarian (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd.
Van Der Neer 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and ran on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Dawn Approach (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
