slowly into stride, ridden and no impression halfway, no extra 3f out
chased leaders, improved to dispute halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong, headed close home
towards rear, pushed along early, ridden and no impression halfway, moderate 6th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 2 1/2f out, ridden into 3rd under 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead close home
soon led on outer, headed halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 1/2f out, no extra in 5th 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, under pressure 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon prominent and disputed on rail, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong, headed close home
always towards rear, ridden and no impression halfway, no extra 3f out, weakened
held up, ridden in moderate 6th halfway, soon no extra
Like so many of his stablemates this season, JAPAN looked in need of his opening run behind another Ballydoyle inmate Sydney Opera House at the Curragh on the opening day of the month. A 1.3million gns yearling, he's bred for middle-distances so it's a surprise to see him dropping down a furlong though he caught the eye in no uncertain terms on his debut and should gain his first victory. Sacchoandvanzetti also made a promising start at the Curragh a week earlier when showing very good pace until fading close home. He looks certain to give a good account from last year's winning stable. Macken led for a long way over this trip on ground with some give at Galway while Aristocratic Man will have come on a bundle for his run at Roscommon.
Airgead (IRE) Most Improved gelding out of Jills Ballet.
Aristocratic Man (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Towards rear, 9th 3f out, under pressure and ridden 1 1/2f out, no headway, one paced final furlong, 10th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Kestrel Prince (9-8) at Roscommon 7f sft in Aug.
Ideal Pal (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden and no impression over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Sydney Opera House (9-5) at Curragh 1m mdn Good - Yielding in Sep.
Japan 9-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along after halfway and no impression over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, never a factor, 7th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Sydney Opera House (9-5) at Curragh 1m mdn Good - Yielding in Sep.
Macken (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Soon led and disputed, attempted to assert from over 2f out, strongly pressed from before straight and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Highway To Success (9-3) at Galway 7f mdn Yielding in Aug.
Puddymore (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Held up early, mid-division halfway, ridden to chase leaders on outer 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened, 13th of 16, 23 3/4l behind Power Down (9-5) at Bellewstown 1m mdn gd in Aug.
Sacchoandvanzetti (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Soon disputed lead, headed and slightly impeded over 1f out, no impression after, 7th of 23, 7 1/4l behind Breaking Story (9-5) at Curragh 7f mdn Yielding in Aug.
Sea Of Life (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and no extra 3f out, last of 11, 27 3/4l behind Duckett's Grove (9-5) at Cork 1m mdn gd in Aug.
Balrath Picollo (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Held up, soon in rear, no extra from over 3f out, last of 14, dist behind Trethias (9-0) at Curragh 1m mdn fll Good - Yielding in Aug.
Drombeg Duke (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and detached entering straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Mintd (9-0) at Listowel 6f mdn gd in Jun.
