chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no extra 2f out, 6th entering straight, kept on one pace
led, headed 5f out, pushed along in 2nd 4f out, kept on, no extra in 4th entering straight, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 6th 3f out, ridden and progress 2f out, 2nd entering straight, no impression winner over 1f out, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 3f out, ridden and progress 2f out, 3rd entering straight, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, headway into 4th 5f out, ridden 3f out, no extra over 2f out, weakened and tailed off
chased leader in 2nd, led 5f out, ridden 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out
As usual, Dermot Weld prepared TRAIN OF THOUGHT superbly for his hurdling debut in the first race of this year's Festival and the Sadler's Wells gelding made all for a comprehensive success. There's no doubt he's still progressing and though still a maiden on the Flat that shouldn't be for long and he can complete the double. However, he'll need to improve to see off the challenge of Sure Reef, another who scored here earlier this week when beating Weld's Encrypted Message in a handicap over the C&D. He's shot up 11lb for that success which is hardly surprising given the ease of the victory though it shouldn't prevent another big effort. Silver Shuffle ran well behind Zariyna at the Curragh last month but has only won once and never over this trip while Top Man Michael has only won two claimers recently and this is tougher.
Train Of Thought (IRE) 10-11fav (9-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, swished tail and no impression winner final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Sli Na Fiarana (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in May.
Sure Reef (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Soon led and made virtually all, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on strongly, eased close home, easily, won at Galway 1m 4f 3yo hcp 60-90 gd in Jul beating Encrypted Message (9-6) by 4l, 11 ran.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd before halfway, led over 4f out, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, rallied under pressure to lead closing strides, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct beating Imagination (9-10) by hd, 14 ran.
Faanan Aldaar (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on to 2nd inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind I Have A Dream (9-5) at Bellewstown 1m 4f mdn stks hvy in Jul.
Silver Shuffle (IRE) 7-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd under 3f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Zariyna (8-10) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 50-85 sft in Jul.
Curl Cat (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Slowly away and in rear, no impression from 3f out, 12th of 15, 16l behind Gris Ladera (9-5) at Galway 1m hcp 50-70 gd.
Top Man Michael (IRE) 9-10fav (9-9) Led and disputed lead, led entering straight, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Wexford 1m 4f 3yo clm gd in Jul beating Beloved Leader (9-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
South Wing (IRE) 14-1 (12-6) 13th of 21, 27l behind Broadway Twist (11-7) at Punchestown 1m 7f stks sft in May.
Narjawa (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division, moderate 7th from 4f out, no extra from over 1f out, 11th of 14, 22l behind Midnight Music (9-0) at Roscommon 1m 2f fll hcp 55-85 hvy in Sep.
