The sprinting division is weak across the board in Europe these days, but especially in Ireland, and this G2 took about as much winning as a good handicap, the first 3 all having competed at such a level fairly recently. It was run at a decent pace (winner’s final 2f of 23.20s equates to a 102.8% finishing speed) but the overall time is underwhelming even after allowing for some ease in the ground from an initial good to firm side of good.
JAMES’S DELIGHT (110 here and previously) is borderline smart on his day and, with no Lazzat to contend with this time, that was just about good enough for him to prevail in a weak-ish field. Always close up, he made an effort over 2f out, nosed ahead just inside the final 1f then came again after possibly being headed briefly. He has raced exclusively at this trip, which seems to suit him, of late.
LETHAL LEVI (110 here and previously) ran up to his best (such as when winning last year’s Ayr Gold Cup) but came up just short, making much of the running, wandering under pressure and headed just after 1f out but sticking to his task. He is a tough sort, if perhaps a little quirky, and should continue to go well at this sort of level.
BIG GOSSEY (109+ here, 106 previously) was unlucky, though that in itself tells you something about the calibre of this race given he had been beaten comfortably in listed contests the last twice, held up going well but getting no run for much of the closing stages, switched again inside the final 1f and finishing well.
VESPERTILIO (104 here, 107 previously) ran close to form and seems similarly effective at 6f to an easy 8f, never far away, hitting a brief flat spot in the penultimate 1f then unable to quicken.
MY MATE ALFIE (105 here, 113 previously) dipped below his very best, working his way into contention after halfway but finding no extra in the final 1f.
EASY (102 here and previously) ran creditably upped from a listed win, tracking the pace and rallying a bit late on having failed to go with the principals.
GRAND GREY (95 here, 109+ previously) never really recovered from a very slow start, possibly due to reluctance, making some headway mid-race, briefly short of room then no impression.
IBERIAN (95 here, 107 previously) was slowly away, possibly through reluctance, and never really on terms.
STORM BOY (90 here, 113 previously) was a bit slowly away and raced solo early but made promising headway to go prominent mid-race, only to come under pressure with more than 2f to go and find little. He had smart form in Australia (won G3s and G2s but beaten in G1s) without being out of the top drawer there.
