held up in rear, some modest progress when short of room 1 1/2f out, ridden in moderate 15th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd on far side 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
rear of mid-division, no impression from 2f out, never a factor
held up in rear, ridden from 2f out, soon no impression, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden in 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
rear of mid-division, no impression from 2f out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
chased leaders on stands side, 6th 2f out, soon ridden, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, progress on outer 2f out, soon ridden, 8th 1f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden in 11th 2f out, soon no impression
soon mid-division, 7th 2f out, pushed along and went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
prominent, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra
mid-division, ridden 2f out, moderate 11th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt and always behind, never a factor
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 2f out, never a factor
chased leaders on far side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride and always behind, under pressure halfway, never a factor
Not surprisingly no favourites have won this in the seven year's it's been run. Michael Halford has won it three times and Tipperary winner Kernoff can go well as he didn't get the clearest of runs at Naas last time. However, he was beaten comfortably by MASAI at Dundalk in October and Aidan O'Brien's lightly-raced colt will be better for his reappearance at Naas and can take this. Wexford Opera won well at Sligo though a 9lb rise won't help while Srucahan beat a big field over the track and trip before tackling Listed company. Great Minds may well prove the main threat as he beat Srucahan comfortably here in March while Jayed Jidan showed very good pace and stayed on strongly when scoring twice over a mile last summer.
Beacon Lodge (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, ridden 2 1/2f out, 3rd and no impression on leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Sun On The Run (9-11) at Tipperary 7f stks sft in Apr.
Arctic (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 7th 2f out, 8th and no extra 1f out, soon eased, last of 11, 11l behind Gathering Power (9-2) at Naas 6f hcp in Apr.
English Deer (IRE) 9-10fav (9-12) Mid-division, ridden into 4th and closer 2f out, every chance 1 1/2f out, no extra 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Slipper Orchid (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.
Srucahan (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Soon in rear in near side group to 2f out where 8th, no impression under pressure in moderate 9th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 6l behind Guerre (9-0) at Naas 5f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
Whimsical (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, pushed along 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 5th of 7, 2l behind Burke's Rock (9-7) at Goodwood 1m fll lst stks (1) gd in May '13.
Jayed Jidan (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Always prominent, led or disputed lead and advantage from 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m hcp gd in Aug beating Stronger Than Me (9-4) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
More Questions (IRE) 4-1fav (8-8) Rear of mid-division, pushed along in 11th 2f out, progress to challenge 1f out, led 100 yards out and kept on well, won at Navan 5f hcp gd beating Seanie (9-9) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Wexford Opera (IRE) 7-2fav (10-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge entering straight, led under 1f out, stayed on well, won at Sligo 6f hcp beating Fastidious (9-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Six of Hearts 16-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 13, 8l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd.
Caprella 12-1 (9-7) Raced in near side group to halfway where 9th, still 9th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 9th of 20, 5l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp in Apr.
Great Minds (IRE) 9-2fav (8-4) Chased leaders, 7th travelling well 2f out, improved into 2nd and ridden 1f out, led under 1f out, soon clear and stayed on well close home, won at Curragh 6f ext hcp in Mar beating Srucahan (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Maremmadiavola (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Prominent, 3rd 2f out and soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 6th of 10, 4l behind Due Diligence (9-7) at Naas 6f 3yo hcp.
Tylery Wonder (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd.
Ballyorban (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) In rear, pushed along before halfway and reminders entering straight, no extra and detached over 2f out, 7th of 9, 29l behind Sun On The Run (9-5) at Cork 7f hcp hvy in Apr.
Arbitrageur (IRE) 5-1fav (9-10) Mid-division best, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened, 21st of 23, 22l behind Tylery Wonder (9-4) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Shipyard (USA) 4-1fav (9-10) Led early, 3rd after 2f, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Harley's Harley (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f hcp.
Nini Ok (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, 12th halfway, ridden and some progress over 1f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong, 12th of 17, 16l behind Sophisticated Heir (8-11) at Leopardstown 7f in Mar.
Dashwood 3-1fav (9-13) Soon chased leaders, 6th before halfway, dropped to 8th under pressure and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace 6th of 14, 4l behind Consonance (8-12) at Gowran Park 7f hcp.
Seal Rock 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, reminders early, 7th halfway, short of room over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 11th of 13, 8l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd.
Norville (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Mid-division, 8th halfway, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 6l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd.
Burn The Boats (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division stands side, weakened 1f out, 20th of 25, 20l behind Gabriel's Lad (9-8) at Ascot 7f hcp (4yo+) (2) gs.
Masai (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Soon chased leaders, 6th travelling smoothly 2f out, still 6th and ridden 1f out, headway but no impression when no room inside final 50yds, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Gathering Power (9-2) at Naas 6f hcp in Apr.
Kernoff (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden in closer 6th 2f out, squeezed for room over 1f out and soon no impression, kept on same pace close home, 7th of 10, 4l behind Due Diligence (9-7) at Naas 6f 3yo hcp.
In Salutem 12-1 (8-7) Mid-division, progress 2f out and went 5th 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd.
Elusive In Paris (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Short of room between horses early and soon towards rear, pushed along from halfway, 8th 2f out, 9th and no impression 1f out, 9th of 11, 5l behind Gathering Power (9-2) at Naas 6f hcp in Apr.
Califante 4-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Knock Stars (9-4) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol in Feb.
Kiss The Stars (IRE) 7-1fav (9-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed last 150 yards, kept on same pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 15, 3l behind Lady Mega (8-6) at Curragh 5f hcp gf.
