went left early and chased leaders in 5th on far side, ridden in 3rd 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
rear of mid-division on stands side, dropped to rear 2f out, soon ridden, 5th 1f out, went 3rd under 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in rear, ridden in 6th 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on without threatening in 4th close home
chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along 1 1/2f out, headway to lead and ridden 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders and took keen hold, 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
dwelt and carried left early, always behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, 4th on stands' side 2f out, soon ridden, 3rd 1f out, kept on in 2nd inside final furlong
Washington DC won this last year on good going and also landed a Group 3 at the Curragh in August on fast ground. He may find conditions against him and certainly wouldn't want any more rain. DOWNFORCE was only seventh a year ago but is better on ground with some give as he showed when beating Son Of Rest over slightly further here earlier in the month. He's since been beaten over 7f but, providing the ground doesn't dry out, he should have enough pace for this. Smash Williams has never lived up to his brilliant juvenile form though did much better on his reappearance at Naas and still has plenty of time to make a very good sprinter. Paul Midgley's Final Venture didn't show much in the UAE earlier in the year but is back on his favoured surface.
Downforce (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Soon led and went a few lengths clear, pressed under 2f out, soon ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Psychedelic Funk (9-10) at Naas 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Final Venture 9-2 (9-2) 11th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Faatinah (9-6) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Washington Dc (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) 4th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Jungle Cat (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 1 gd in Mar.
Gymkhana 4-1jfav (9-5) Chased leaders on inner, pushed along 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, soon strongly pressed and ridden, headed near line, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Medicine Jack (9-6) at Naas 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Primo Uomo (IRE) 11-8 (9-10) Dwelt and slightly hampered leaving stalls, held up in rear and ran freely, improved into 2nd 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Togoville (9-10) at Dundalk 6f pol in Mar.
Smash Williams (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, disputing 2nd inside final furlong, kept on well close home, 2nd of 9, hd behind Medicine Jack (9-6) at Naas 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Son Of Rest 8-11fav (9-7) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden over 1f out, drifted right under pressure under 1f out, kept on and drifted slightly left closing stages, not match winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Downforce (9-7) at Navan 6f lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Gorane (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Soon tracked leaders, 4th before halfway, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Caravaggio (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 2 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Sep.
