CURRAGH 16:35

Non Runners: EMILY DICKINSON (IRE).

Time: 3m 1.72s Closing Sectional: (3f): 39.55s (98.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 100.5%

The withdrawal of Emily Dickinson ahead of the Irish season's final Classic promised to further pave the way for her illustrious returning stablemate but Eldar Eldarov had other ideas, taking his form up a notch to upset the leading figure in the division who wasn't at full cry following an extended absence.

ELDAR ELDAROV finally put up the sort of performance in open company his Doncaster St Leger win last year and Yorkshire Cup second this had promised, his yard probably going better now than at any other stage this season, though his step forward was more minor than marked, the underperformance of the ring-rusty Kyprios clearly the key aspect; soon on the shoulder of the leader, he went to the front despite wandering briefly over 2f out and had it in the bag 1f out, continuing to gallop on well to maintain his advantage; he'd likely stay the trip in the Cadran if tried next, while his obvious effectiveness on good to soft going gives hope even more testing ground (unraced on such to date) won't hinder him, either.

KYPRIOS (IRE) had likely rustiness to blame in part for failing to hit the stellar standards he attained during his unbeaten 2022 campaign but, as a note of caution, he's never been off his game when returning from a break in his career to date, unbeaten when fresh dating back to his debut, including the defying of an absence 6 days longer than this one first time back last year; he was settled only a few lengths off the leader, but he'd needed waking up fully 4f out and plugged away rather than anything flashier in the winner's wake; assuming all is well, he'll have his chance to exact revenge in the Cadran, a race in which he posted one of the most remarkable staying performances of modern times last autumn.

DAWN RISING (IRE) wasn't up to the task, for speed as well as ability, this C&D not testing his stamina sufficiently since his Queen Alexandra win; in touch, outpaced straight, rallied well inside final 1f; he may yet develop into a contender for some of the best staying hurdle races around if reverted to jumping this winter.

YASHIN (IRE) faced a stiff task with the front 2 on the book but still might have been expected to see things out better than he did in first-time cheekpieces; led until over 2f out, weakened final 1f.