CURRAGH 19:15

Non Runners: GALILEO CHROME (IRE).

Time: 2m 38.17s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.3s (106%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 99%

The 2020 edition of the Irish Derby attracted a bigger field than usual, but it was very much a case of quantity over quality, almost half of the field maidens at starting, none of the placed horses from the Guineas turning up and no overseas raiders either, all of which, combined with the fact that it took place a week before both the Epsom and French equivalents due to the reconfiguration of the Flat calendar meant it had the air of a consolation prize; the race itself was dominated once again by Aidan O'Brien, Santiago leading home yet another clean sweep - the seventh time he has supplied the first 3 - for the man who has now sent out fourteen out of the last twenty four winners; Iberia took them along at a sound pace in a contest that was run in driving rain.

SANTIAGO (IRE) turned out again just 8 days on from his exploits in the Queens Vase, didn't need to improve much on that form to land what was a sub-par Group 1, coping well with the drop back in trip in a well-run race and proving very game; patiently ridden, headway before home turn, got gap 2f out, went clear approaching final 1f, stuck to task; is clearly not just an out-and-out stayer but the St Leger still appeals as the obvious next port of call, his trainer likely to have stronger candidates for the top 1½m races.

TIGER MOTH (IRE) ran a stormer on just his third career start and first outside of maiden company, relishing the step up in trip and making the winner pull out all the stops, surely only a matter of time before a pattern race at this sort of trip comes his way; mid-division, pushed along entering straight, challenged final 1f, kept on well, pulled clear of remainder; open to further improvement, his future will presumably be linked to how the Ballydoyle contingent get on at Epsom next week but something like the Great Voltigeur at York is likely to be on his agenda.

DAWN PATROL (IRE) touched off by Tiger Moth in a maiden on reappearance, was unlucky not to finish on the heels of the first 2, making up a lot of ground in the final 1f after getting stopped in his tracks at a vital stage; raced well off the pace, steady progress from 4f out, denied a run 2f out, forced wide, stayed on strongly, never nearer; already smart, he is sure to progress further and win races.

ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (IRE) behind both the second and third in a maiden last time, was another to show much improved form, once again going about things in a laboured manner but worthy of credit for doing best of those to race close to the pace; tracked pace, off the bridle long way out, pushed along over 5f out, every chance entering straight, third 1f out, kept on, did best of those ridden close up; will pick up a race or 2 without too much fuss, so long as his sights aren't set too high.

FISCAL RULES (IRE) stayed the 4f longer trip without improving for it, filling the same spot and running to a similar sort of level as he had in the Irish 2000 Guineas; mid-division, took strong hold, headway when met some trouble around 2f out, kept on, never landed a blow.

GOLD MAZE failed to progress as expected for the step up in trip, though may well do so another day, pulling too hard for this own good on this occasion; close up, took strong hold, every chance early in straight, no extra over 1f out.

NEW YORK GIRL (IRE) bidding to become the first filly since Balanchine in 1994 to win Ireland's premier classic, had been supplemented at a cost of €50,000 but never looked like justifying that outlay, never able to get competitive under a waiting ride, the 4f longer trip a side issue on the day; dropped out, still plenty to do entering straight, one paced, never a threat.

SUNCHART runner-up to Santiago in a maiden at Listowel last year, ran better than on return but isn't up to this company; mid-division, struggling 4f out, plugged on; needs sights lowering.

ARTHUR'S KINGDOM (IRE) one of the likelier ones on form, ran no sort of race with headgear, somewhat surprisingly, on for the first time, this possibly coming too soon after a fairly hard race at Royal Ascot; missed the break, tracked pace, off the bridle long way out, driven 4f out, looked held when hampered 2f out, one paced, not given an unduly hard time once chance had gone; type to bounce back quickly.

CROSSFIREHURRICANE (USA) the only member of the field, outside of Santiago, to arrive here with more than one win to his name, lost his unbeaten record with a whimper, beaten by more than 2f longer trip; steadied at the start, raced well off the pace, brief headway approaching home turn, came wide straight, no further impression; US owned and bred, he appeals as just the type to do well in turf races on the other side of the Atlantic later on in the year.

KING OF THE THRONE (USA) without a tongue strap this time, ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade; raced along inside, mid-division, effort entering straight, faded over 1f out.

IBERIA (IRE) bred to be suited by this sort of trip, is best not judged on this run, dropping out tamely in the straight after cutting out much of the running, his rider subsequently reporting that he hung badly left; made running, headed around 2f out, weakened.

CHIRICAHUA (IRE) after 8 months off, who needed to find plenty of improvement, is better than could show here; raced well off the pace, beaten entering straight, heavily eased off.

SHERPA (IRE) unfortunately suffered what proved a fatal injury just as the race was starting to take shape; mid-division, in touch when went wrong 4f, pulled up.