chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, pressed winner close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra over 1f out
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway in 5th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
soon led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out
mid-division, ridden in 11th 2f out, no impression
rear of mid-division, ridden in 10th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace from over 1f out
rear of mid-division, ridden in 9th 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and no extra 3f out
chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, pressed close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Aidan O'Brien has won this five times in recent years and though SECRETARY OF STATE is looking vulnerable he hasn't done much wrong and can recoup losses sustained when a very short-priced favourite on his last three starts, the latest when just failing to catch Triumphant over a mile at Gowran. Jim Bolger had several entries at the five-day stage and relies on the filly Tiffilia, who was in the lead at this trip in that Gowran event and looks a threat. John Oxx has three entries and the best of them should be Buffalo Billy, who caught the eye with a very promising staying-on debut over 6f at Fairyhouse. Newcomers Leatherwood, by Peintre Celebre out of a Listed winner, Tommy Stack's Dalakhani colt Moldowney, and Angel Bright, from the all-conquering Dermot Weld yard, are all worth watching in a race that should produce numerous winners.
Buffalo Billy (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along in 7th 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out without threatening winner, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Bahama Spirit (8-5) at Fairyhouse 6f 2yo mdn gd in Jul.
Empresario (IRE) Hurricane Run colt out of La Stravaganza.
Kerak (IRE) Acclamation colt out of Kerania.
Leatherwood (IRE) Peintre Celebre colt out of Seraphine.
Moldowney Dalakhani colt out of Danehill's Dream.
Pc Henry Ishiguru gelding out of Elhida.
Rayadour (IRE) Azamour colt out of Rayyana.
Secretary Of State (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th approaching straight, ridden into 3rd over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 8, hd behind Triumphant (9-3) at Gowran Park 1m 2yo mdn gf in Jul.
Spring Up (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Dwelt, always towards rear, 12th of 14, 18l behind Lady Pastrana (8-6) at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn aut gf in Jul.
Watt Broderick (IRE) Hawk Wing colt out of Kingsridge.
Absolute Crackers (IRE) Giant's Causeway filly out of El Laoob.
Angel Bright (IRE) Dark Angel filly out of Cover Girl.
La Oliva (IRE) Strategic Prince filly out of Banba.
Tiffilia (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Soon raced in 4th, 3rd before straight, ridden to challenge and lead over 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Triumphant (9-3) at Gowran Park 1m 2yo mdn gf in Jul.
Zahr Alyasmeen (IRE) Iffraaj filly out of Roskeen.
