disputed, led after 1f, made rest, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, went clear over 1f out, kept on well, easily
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
disputed until headed after 1f, soon 2nd, pushed along entering straight, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 3rd 3f out, 4th again and no impression over 2f out, no extra
disputed, raced keenly, headed after 1f, soon restrained in 3rd, pushed along in 4th 3f 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out
Sussex has a mountain to climb on official ratings having disappointed before making all to land a Gowran maiden on testing ground. He's entered in the Dante and the Derby so better must be expected. Great Max made a successful debut for Michael Bell at Newbury last June and continued in fine form at a very high level until well beaten in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. French Claim landed a Listowel maiden before stepping-up to Group 3 company at Leopardstown where he was staying on at the finish after being outpaced early. Caroline Herschel was a couple of lengths behind in the latter event having made an impressive debut on soft ground at Killarney. FREEDOM OF SPEECH has a fitness advantage having run a fine race in the Group 3 Park Express at the Curragh. She can make her allowance count before heading for the 1000 Guineas at the Curragh.
French Claim (FR) 9-2 (9-5) Mid-division, pushed along and no impression early straight, ridden in 9th and edged left over 1f out, kept on well between horses inside final furlong to go 4th close home, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Duke De Sessa (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Great Max (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Off slw/bpd,svd ground, 11th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Modern Games (8-10) at Del Mar 1m gd in Nov.
Sussex (USA) 12-1 (9-7) Disputed lead early, led after 2f and made rest, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Gowran Park 1m mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Comfort Zone (9-7) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Caroline Herschel (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along and no impression towards rear early straight, no extra from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 12th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Duke De Sessa (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Freedom Of Speech (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Ran freely, soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 2 1/2f out, no impression in 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Mother Earth (10-0) at Curragh 1m fll stks (1) Yielding in Mar.
