raced in 4th, slightly short of room from 2f out and soon switched to outer, went 3rd over 1f out and soon pushed along to challenge, kept on well to lead inside final 150 yards, comfortably
tracked leader in close 2nd, pushed along to challenge over 2f out and soon disputed lead, led briefly inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra close home
raced in rear, pushed along from 2f out, went 4th over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong
raced in 3rd, took closer order from 3f out and ridden to dispute lead over 2f out, headed from 1f out and no extra inside final furlong
led, pressed over 2f out, soon ridden and headed, no extra and dropped to rear over 1f out
Alder landed a Killarney maiden from a subsequent winner then ran an excellent race to be beaten just over two lengths behind current Derby favourite Auguste Rodin in a Leopardstown Group 2 with Serious Challenge a length further behind. That winner is trained by Aidan O'Brien, who has Dundalk winner BERTINELLI entered here and he's the type to improve massively over this trip so gets the nod. Lark In The Mornin has a bit in hand over a subsequent winner at Listowel but maiden winner Starry Heavens had her limitations exposed in a Curragh Group 3.
Alder (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) In touch, 3rd halfway, dropped to 4th and under pressure over 2f out, 5th 1 1/2f out, ridden into 4th inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Auguste Rodin (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Bertinelli (USA) 1-5fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along to challenge 2f out, ridden and led 1 1/2f out, soon pressed, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, held on well, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov beating Pivotal Revive (9-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Lark In The Mornin (GER) 5-6fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th when angled out 2f out, soon pushed along and headway, close 3rd 1f out and soon challenged, led final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Listowel 1m mdn sft in Sep beating Immutable (9-8) by nk, 11 ran.
Serious Challenge (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Led and soon clear, ridden and reduced advantage entering straight, strongly pressed 1f out, headed under 1f out, no impression, 4th of 6, 6 1/4l behind White Birch (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Starry Heavens (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Dwelt, held up in touch in 5th, ridden and improved into 3rd 2f out, 4th 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Lumiere Rock (9-2) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 fll stks (1) sft in Oct.
