keen hold and settled towards rear, checked over 2f out, pushed along into 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, hung left under pressure and no extra inside final furlong
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear over 2f out, 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, disputed halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out
led, disputed halfway, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, no extra close home
held up towards rear, headway into 5th 4f out, ridden into 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
Ballydoyle's roll of honour in this reads like a who's who and RECITAL looks another off the production line. The only negative is that his Group 1 success at Saint-Cloud was gained in very heavy going but he won easily enough on good ground at Navan on his debut. Exodus was a long way behind his stablemate in France but made a promising return behind Dunboyne Express here last month. However, Mawaakef must be regarded as the chief threat as Kevin Prendergast's colt did very well to finish runner-up to subsequent Racing Post Trophy winner Casamento in the Beresford Stakes and looks the one to take advantage if the likely favourite doesn't do the business.
Recital (FR) (8-13) won at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 2f 2yo Grp 1 hvy in Nov beating Bubble Chic (8-13) by 5l, 11 ran.
Adilapour (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Always prominent, 4th halfway, headway to lead 2f out, driven along over 1f out, headed under pressure well inside final furlong, rallied closing strides, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Defining Year (9-7) at Curragh 7f 3yo ext hcp sft in Mar.
Exodus 9-2 (9-0) Led early, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden early straight, 2nd 1f out but soon no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Dunboyne Express (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) in Mar.
Mawaakef (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along entering straight, kept on under pressure to go moderate 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Casamento (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) in Sep.
Regent Street (IRE) 2-5fav (8-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to narrow lead 2f out, strongly pressed, drifted left under pressure final 150 yards, kept on, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 2yo mdn stks pol in Dec beating Watch The Birdie (8-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Rich Tapestry (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead 2f out, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, won at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol in Oct beating Long Live The King (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Banimpire (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, disputed lead from halfway, driven along and narrowly headed over 2f out, rallied from over 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Lolly For Dolly (9-13) at Curragh 1m flls Group 3 stks (1) sft in Mar.
