CURRAGH 15:45

All 9 ran.

Time: 1m 24.56s Closing Sectional: (3f): 32.5s (111.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 99.6%

A competitive Group 2 and little doubt the winner was the best on the day, but there was still a slightly unsatisfactory feel to the race given how easy a time Spirit Of Valor had in front, the messy gallop in turn compounding the chances some of his likelier opponents.

SPIRIT OF VALOR (USA) confirmed his big-priced effort in the Jersey was in no way a fluke, unlucky to bump into one who looks potentially top-class that day and comfortably made amends here, clear best for all he did have the run of things too; broke well, made all, shaken up approaching 2f out, kicked on 1f out, kept on well, well on top finish; he has plenty of speed and looks best suited by this intermediate distance, the Lennox an ideal next target for him, but a drop back to 6f is unlikely to inconvenience either.

SO BELOVED back in hood (regularly wore for previous connections but not since joining current yard), bounced right back to form, turning in comfortably his best effort of the season; mid-field, travelled as well as any, shaken up under 2f out, kept on well close home.

STORMY ANTARCTIC without the headgear this time, again ran well and would surely have benefited from a stronger gallop back down in trip; mid-division, raced freely, shaken up 2f out, no extra last ½f; should remain competitive at low-grade pattern level.

GORDON LORD BYRON (IRE) remains in good form, well positioned as this went and giving all he could; in touch, shaken up 2f out, no extra last ½f.

COUGAR MOUNTAIN (IRE) continues in good heart despite not seen to best effect, probably doing as well as he could from his position; held up, driven out wide over 2f out, stayed on late on, never landed a blow, unsuited by the way the race developed.

DUTCH CONNECTION failed to meet expectations under his ideal conditions, but had his excuses too, unable to gain any cover and that along with the slow early gallop ensured he was too keen early on; handy, raced freely, ridden over 2f out, no extra final 1f; he won the Lennox at Glorious Goodwood last year and it would prove no surprise if he bounced back to form there.

MUBTASIM (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, had finished just behind the winner at Royal Ascot, but unlike him wasn't seen near to best effect this time; waited with, shaken up approaching 2f out, no extra final 1f, left poorly placed; there's likely still a bigger effort in him at this trip.

FLIGHT RISK (IRE) is better judged on previous form; in rear, ridden early in straight, never landed a blow, had a hopeless task from position.

PEACE ENVOY (FR) is yet to fire this season, again refusing to put his head down; mid-division, pulled way into prominent position around halfway, weakening when badly hampered approaching final 50 yds.