always towards rear, no impression in 5th early straight, no extra from well over 1f out
settled in 4th, 3rd from halfway, ridden and headway in straight to lead 1f out, kept on best inside final furlong
slowly into stride, raced mainly 5th, ridden in 4th entering straight and no real impression, kept on same pace into 3rd final furlong, not reach first 2
led and soon 6 lengths clear, reduced advantage before halfway, ridden and tried to assert approaching straight, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, closer before halfway, driven along entering straight and dropped to 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leader, 4th halfway, dropped to rear approaching straight and soon no extra
This looks one for the older brigade as STEPS TO FREEDOM proved himself yet again when carrying a huge weight to victory over a decent field at Dundalk last week. That may just give him the advantage over the classy Galileo's Choice, who hasn't been seen since Cheltenham and has bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks including the Ebor and the Irish St Leger. Bob Le Beau has plenty of placed efforts at this level and can't be ruled out but Betterbetterbetter has been disappointing after a reasonable run in the Oaks at Epsom though she still looks better than stablemate Demurely. Aklan scrambled home in a Listed contest at Roscommon and faces better rivals here.
Bob Le Beau (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Chased clear leaders, moderate 5th halfway, never a factor, no extra in 6th under 2f out, 6th of 7, 16l behind Windsor Palace (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Galileo's Choice (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Prominent, led 3f out, ridden clear entering straight, kept on well final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep beating Look At Me (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 15-8fav (10-3) Waited with well off pace towards rear, closer order and progress from under 4f out, closed up to challenge from 2f out and led 1f out, stretched clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 2m hcp pol beating Night Glimmer (8-6) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Aklan (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Soon prominent, ridden to challenge straight, led under 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, kept on well final furlong to just hold on at the finish, won at Roscommon 1m 4f Listed stks (1) sft beating Massiyn (8-10) by shd, 10 ran.
Betterbetterbetter (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Chased clear leader in mid-division, much closer entering straight and 5th 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 5th of 10, 10l behind Caponata (9-0) at Naas 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) in Jun.
Demurely (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Chased clear leader, 2nd halfway, closer but driven along approaching straight, soon dropped to rear and eased, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Caponata (9-0) at Naas 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) in Jun.
