led racing keenly and soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, joined approaching straight, headed 2f out and soon no extra
raced 2nd to clear leader, closer halfway and disputed approaching straight, led briefly 2f out, soon headed under pressure and no chance with easy winner from over 1f out, dropped to moderate 3rd final furlong
held up in rear, ridden entering straight and soon no extra
chased clear leader, closer in 3rd halfway, ridden early straight and no impression on easy winner from over 1f out, moderate 4th inside final furlong
keen early and settled off pace in 5th, closer halfway and travelled well to go 4th entering straight, headway to lead 1 1/2f out and soon asserted, stayed on well to draw clear final furlong, easily
chased clear leader, closer in 4th halfway, 5th and driven along entering straight, no extra in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure final furlong
chased clear leader, closer in 6th halfway, ridden entering straight and no extra in 7th under 2f out
held up in rear, 7th entering straight, ridden in 5th over 1f out, headway between horses to go 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace but no chance with easy winner
This has been run eight times and Aidan O'Brien has won all but one. Athens made all over this trip at Navan before finding 1m3f and Group 2 company just too much for him at Longchamp and this should be his track and trip. The filly Soon has run well in top company though she's held by Tannery on their run at Gowran earlier this month. The latter is progressing nicely while Speaking Of Which won easily at Cork and there's more to come from him. CRIUS carries a Group 3 penalty for his victory at Newmarket in September but returned to action with a fine run behind stablemate and 2000 Guineas entry Trumpet Major in the Craven Stakes and that form looks good enough for Richard Hannon's colt to take this.
Crius (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Led stand side group until over 3f out, remained prominent, ridden and led stand side 2f out, headed over 1f out stayed on to chase easy winner near finish, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Trumpet Major (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Athens (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) 5th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Top Trip (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 3f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
Bible Black (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) 6th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Factory Time (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 7f con stks gd in Feb.
Macbeth (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Made all, travelling well entering straight, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Gowran Park 1m 4f 3yo mdn sft in Apr beating Chicago (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Speaking Of Which (IRE) 6-4fav (9-5) Made all, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, won at Cork 1m 3yo mdn gf in Apr beating Taigan (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Absolute Crackers (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside halfway, soon close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off, 7th of 9, 20l behind Good Morning Star (8-12) at Chester 1m 3f 3yo lst fll (1) sft.
Cleofila (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression under pressure over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 3l behind Princess Highway (8-9) at Naas 1m 2f flls Group 3 stks (1).
Soon (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight without threatening, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Yellow Rosebud (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo fll Grp 3 (1).
Tannery (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Keen hold early and settled behind leaders, headway into 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, improved to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f fll lst stks (1) hvy beating Soon (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
