Expert Analysis

A rather messy race, more so in terms of room to manoeuvre than pace (which was steady for the opening 1f or 2f but sound enough thereafter, resulting in a 103.8% finishing speed for the winner), and, with the first 6 finishing on top of each other, it is probably not especially strong form and some way behind that shown by the best recent winner, 114-rated Madhmoon in 2018. Nonetheless, there are a few in there with potential still, not least the winner.

ATOMIC JONES (106 here, 88 previously) came on plenty for his narrow Curragh maiden win on his only previous start and is open to further improvement, especially at further next year. He was slowly away and held up mid to rear, switched outside 3f out and taking a while to hit top stride before staying on to lead near the finish. He was one of four winners on the card on a red-letter day for trainer Ger Lyons.

STONE AGE (105 here, 94 previously) is already useful and should improve further, winning races seeming a formality after this, especially as he can be expected to be better still at 10f/12f next year. He raced wide and prominently, jumping a path early on, made his effort well over 2f out and got to the lead 1f out, edged out of it close home.

ABSOLUTE RULER (103 here, 90 previously) should prove even better than this, which was a sizeable step up on his Dundalk win on his only previous start, tracking the pace and short of room more than once in the closing stages, sticking to his task for pressure. Out of an Irish Oaks fourth, but more speedily bred otherwise, he is unlikely to need further to show it, either.

HOWTH (103 here, 92 previously) holds other lofty entries, and hinted why with his best effort yet, steadied at the start and getting a largely uninterrupted run up the inner, one paced late on.

MANU ET CORDE (103 here, 89 previously) seemed to improve, though he was soon leading having been slowly into his stride and driven initially, keeping on when headed.

BUCKAROO (101 here, 95 previously) shaped as if the experience might still have been needed, slowly away and towards the rear but finishing closer than had seemed likely early in the straight.

I AM MAGIC (94 here and previously) ran well, though it was only late on that he got back past a few having been free initially and widest of all 3f out.

JOHN THE BAPTIST (94 here, 88 previously) was not discredited, soon steadied to track the pace but weakening late on.

MARITIME WINGS (93 here, 103 previously) disappointed, which was not entirely surprising given how he had shaped previously, in mid-field before making headway 2f out, only to find little.

ONCE UPON A RIVER (86 here, 92 previously) weakened after racing prominently and seemed not ready for this level at this stage.