mid-division and ran freely early, ridden into 4th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just denied for 3rd
held up early, mid-division after 2f, ridden towards rear 2f out, soon no impression, no extra over 1f out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out
led, asserted and 4-length advantage 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran around under pressure, drifted left 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra
mid-division early, towards rear after 2f, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and closer on inner 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, just prevailed for 3rd at line
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, stayed on to challenge and slightly hampered 1f out, disputed last 150 yards, led last 100 yards, kept on well close home
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, stayed on to challenge and hampered 1f out, disputed briefly last 150 yards, held in 2nd closing stages
Aidan O’Brien has won all three previous renewals and Ryan Moore partners WESTERN AUSTRALIA (NAP) of the three Ballydoyle runners. He was beaten a length in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster when last in action and should have the measure of stablemate Van Beethoven on these terms. The latter didn’t show much progress last year after winning a Group 2 over 6f and attempts a mile for the first time but he’s still preferred to maiden winner Albuquerque while Playa Del Puente and Manjeer step up in class having also ended last year on a high. Stable companions Colfer Me and Numerian are more exposed than most but Archie Watson sends over Barys on the back of a Listed success on the all-weather in France and he may figure.
Van Beethoven (CAN) 14-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, held up in rear, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 4th inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 6, 5 1/2l behind Too Darn Hot (9-0) at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Albuquerque (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Led early, headed after 1f, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on to press leader 1f out, squeezed through on rail to narrow lead inside final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 7f mdn Yielding in Oct beating Empire State (9-5) by nk, 15 ran.
Barys (8-12) won at Cagnes-sur-Mer 1m lst stks gd in Feb beating Pizzicato (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Colfer Me (IRE) 4-5fav (9-7) Pushed along to soon lead, pushed along again and strongly pressed under 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon dropped to 3rd and slightly impeded, one pace, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Numerian (9-4) at Dundalk 7f pol in Feb.
Manjeer (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leader in close 2nd, improved to dispute lead approaching halfway, led from 3f out, pushed along from 2f out and soon ridden into 3 length lead, reduced advantage inside final furlong and strongly pressed close home, just held on, won at Leopardstown 7f mdn gd in Oct beating Turnberry Isle (9-5) by ns, 15 ran.
Numerian (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Dwelt and slightly impeded start, waited with behind leaders, soon in touch in last, closed 2f out travelling smoothly, pushed along from 1 1/2f out, challenged under 1f out, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Feb beating Sky Seven (9-4) by 1l, 4 ran.
Playa Del Puente (IRE) 13-8 (9-7) Tracked leader, ran freely, 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight and ridden over 1f out, headway to lead final 100 yards and kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec beating Grandmaster Flash (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Western Australia (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Led, quickened pace and clear with one other over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Magna Grecia (9-1) at Doncaster 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
