slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along 2f out, went moderate 5th 1f out, disputed 2nd and ridden inside final furlong, 2nd near line, not trouble easy winner
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, led travelling well 2f out, ridden clear 1f out, stayed on strongly, easily
mid-division, dropped to rear and pushed along at halfway, soon ridden and no impression
dwelt, towards rear and niggled along early, mid-division at halfway, pushed along and went 3rd 2f out, 2nd and no impression on winner 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, no extra in 5th close home
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, disputed 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd near line, not trouble easy winner
NEW YORK CITY was placed in four of five starts last season – his only failure was in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. He should have no problems losing his maiden tag against this opposition. Dermot Weld is quickly off the mark on Turf and the 160,000gns yearling Laakhof can have a better second season while Creative Power has a smart pedigree for this sort of trip. The latter remark also applies to Lady Kabeir, a half-sister to six winners.
Gobi Star (IRE) Starspangledbanner gelding out of Good To Follow.
Excel Rocket (IRE) 125-1 (9-4) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra from 1f out, 9th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Craft Irish (9-4) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Feb.
Laakhof (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Reared in stalls and slowly away, always towards rear, 12th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra, never a factor, 11th of 13, 6 1/2l behind Silver Surfer (9-7) at Fairyhouse 6f mdn gf in Jun.
Military Crown 5-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, soon pushed along, weakened 3f out, 6th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Geelong (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Sep.
New York City (IRE) 4-5fav (9-7) Soon narrow leader, joined over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 17, nk behind Belle Fourche (9-2) at Curragh 6f mdn sft in Oct.
Wished (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Doitforandrew (9-1) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Creative Power (IRE) Mehmas filly out of Cool Power.
Hot Whispers (IRE) 200-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, raced keenly, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 14, 28 1/4l behind Pirate Jenny (9-2) at Cork 6f mdn Yielding in Sep.
Lady Kabeir (IRE) El Kabeir filly out of Mimisel.
