mid-division early, soon tracked leaders, on terms over 5f out, led before straight, pressed from 2f out, soon joined and headed, one pace final furlong
soon led, joined over 5f out, pushed along approaching straight and headed, weakened, eased final furlong, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
dwelt, soon prominent, pushed along 3f out, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
held up, soon raced in 7th, pushed along and progress from 3f out, challenged over 1f out, soon led, asserted and stayed on well inside final furlong where rider lost whip
soon towards rear, pushed along 5f out, no extra and eased from before straight, tailed off
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, raced on outer straight and headway, kept on without threatening final furlong
took keen hold, held up, still travelling smoothly 3f out, no extra from over 1f out
dwelt, pushed along and soon tracked leaders, pushed along again 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, challenged from 2f out, soon on terms, pressed over 1f out, quickly headed and one pace
Kuraka had Archer's Up a short-head behind over the course and distance a couple of weeks ago and though the latter has a slight advantage at the weights the winning rider had a bit up his sleeve and can confirm the form. However, HURRICANE SKY (NAP), who finished 4l behind, was having his first start since November and was battling on at the finish so he's taken to get back on the winning trail. The Plan Man, a dual hurdles winner, has never won on the Flat but went close under a huge weight at Dundalk in April and has to be respected. Ilikehim has never won while Denham Sound is 0-11 on the level though the latter is well handicapped as a consequence.
Kuraka 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden to progress on outer 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led final 150 yards, soon asserted, eased up close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in May beating Archer's Up (9-13) by 1/2l, 23 ran.
Archer's Up 12-1 (9-13) Soon disputed, chased leader after 3f, 4th halfway, ridden to dispute 1 1/2f out, narrow lead over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 23, 1/2l behind Kuraka (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in May.
The Plan Man (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Mid-division, progress into 5th and pushed along on outer 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Universal Focus (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Apr.
Ilikehim (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Soon chased leaders, 4th approaching halfway, on terms briefly over 2f out, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 5 3/4l behind Bobby Jean (8-10) at Sligo 1m 4f hcp Yielding in May.
Hurricane Sky (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 7th of 23, 4 1/2l behind Kuraka (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in May.
Denham Sound 25-1 (9-1) Soon raced in 3rd, closed up approaching halfway, soon on terms, pushed along before straight, soon headed, no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Emperor Waltz (9-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp sft in May.
Mystique Heights 16-1 (9-9) Very slowly away and behind, ridden and no impression 3f out, 21st of 23, 20 3/4l behind Kuraka (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in May.
Pink Ribbon (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Soon mid-division, no extra from 2f out, 19th of 30, 20 1/4l behind Alans Pride (9-12) at Curragh 7f hcp hvy in May.
Black Label 33-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2 1/2f out, 10th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 23, 4 1/2l behind Kuraka (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in May.
Temasek Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to close up behind leaders 2f out, no impression in 8th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 23, 3 1/4l behind Kuraka (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in May.
