chased leaders, took keen hold and closer in 2nd before halfway, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon 2nd, pressed winner 1f out, no extra and dropped to 3rd close home
held up in touch, ridden in 5th 2 1/2f out, soon no impression
in rear, ridden in moderate 6th 3f out, no impression
chased leaders, 4th 3f out, soon ridden, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home
tracked leader in 2nd, travelling well 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
attempted to make all, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no impression and dropped to 4th
Writers Block delivered a result that would have been rejected by even the most receptive of film studios as the 10-year-old landed a Leopardstown maiden on debut by a cool 14 lengths. He won't be 50/1 on this occasion but we believe that SIR ECTOR looks a safer bet to reproduce his form. The dual-purpose performer won over course and distance winner in June and proved that success to be no fluke when posting a fair effort in Listed company. Royal Irish Hussar landed one of the gambles of the season at Killarney and Aidan O'Brien knows how to win this race having done so last year. Along with Dabadiyan, the pair receive a sizeable weight-for-age allowance, and Mick Halford's colt can be considered a big player having won readily off a mark of 92 in a Curragh handicap.
Writers Block (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Soon led and sent clear, distance advantage well before halfway, some reminders and reduced advantage 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, never challenged, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks gf beating Cullentry Royal (11-2) by 14l, 6 ran.
Acht (GER) (9-2) won at Quakenbruck(GER) 1m 1f stks gd in Sep, 9 ran.
Sir Ector (USA) 10-1 (9-9) Chased clear leader and left moderate 4th halfway, driven along and no impression in 3rd approaching straight, went modest 2nd early final furlong and kept on under pressure, greatly flattered by proximity to eased down winner at line, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Royal Diamond (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gf.
Solo Performer (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) In touch in rear, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind Kingdom (9-2) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp gf.
Vivaldi (IRE) 28-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, went 3rd 5f out until over 3f out, plugged on same pace, 5th of 6, 17l behind Sphinx (8-13) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Oct '11.
Shu Lewis (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd from halfway, raced wide and lost place entering straight, 8th over 1f out, stayed on well, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Face Value (8-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Dabadiyan (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) Chased leaders, 4th 3f out, improved to lead and ridden under 2f out, soon went clear, stayed on strongly final furlong, eased close home, won at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun beating Curley Bill (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Royal Irish Hussar (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Made all, pushed out to assert 2f out, ridden and kept on strongly from over 1f out, clear final furlong, easily, won at Killarney 1m 6f mdn stks gf beating Train Of Thought (10-5) by 11l, 7 ran.
