chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, stayed on to lead under 1f out, kept on well
always towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway into 5th 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well final furlong to 2nd close home
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, no extra in 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra in 9th 3f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, headway into 6th 2f out, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
This has been run seven times in its present format and Aidan O'Brien has won six of them. Last Crusade looks typical of those that have been successful as he's certain to have come on for his run over 1m4f at Gowran though stablemate Alexander Pope has the better form having being placed at Listed level behind Imperial Rome here earlier this month. While both are obvious contenders, Richard Hannon may hold the key with MORIARTY, who made an eye-catching comeback in the Fielden Stakes at Newmarket where he stayed on strongly at the finish of that 1m1f Listed event. Adilapour and Banksters Bonus fought out the finish of a conditions event at Gowran last time but that doesn't quite look good enough so the main threat may emerge from the filly Sapphire Pendant, who was going on very strongly when runner-up to Ballybacka Lady in the 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown.
Adilapour (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Soon led, ridden and joined from under 2f out, strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, headed briefly under 1f out, rallied to regain lead close home, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo stk gf beating Banksters Bonus (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Alexander Pope (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Led, driven along from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Imperial Rome (9-1) at Curragh 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gf.
Banksters Bonus (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up in last, ridden and progress early straight, 2nd 2f out, disputed lead 1 1/2f out, led briefly under 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Adilapour (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo stk gf.
Best Hello 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Recital (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf.
Last Crusade (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, pushed along to challenge over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 2nd of 3, 3 1/2l behind Notable Graduate (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 4f 3yo stk gd.
Moriarty (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) In touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 7, hd behind Dordogne (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Apr.
Parkers Mill (IRE) 4-5fav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led over 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, stayed on best to assert near finish, won at Tipperary 1m 1f mdn stks gf in Apr beating Cannon Hill (9-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Smartcity (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, challenged under 1f out, led last 100 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo mdn stks pol in Apr beating Alayir (9-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Swampfire (IRE) 7-2fav (8-1) Tracked leaders, close up on inner and not much from early straight, no impression under pressure from under 2f out, soon clear run and kept on, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Flowers Of Spring (8-8) at Cork 1m 2f hcp gd.
Sapphire Pendant (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on to 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Ballybacka Lady (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf.
