CURRAGH 17:15 b4431

All 12 ran.

Time: 2m 32.62s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.3s (108.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 99.8%

The 153rd running of Ireland's premier classic will go down in history, not necessarily for the performance of Latrobe who at this stage looks no more than an average winner of the race, but for the fact that he was trained and ridden by 2 brothers, Joseph and Donnacha O'Brien denying their father, Aidan, a thirteenth win in the race into the bargain, and just to underline how much of a family affair this race has become in recent years, Latrobe is from the first crop of Camelot whom Joseph himself rode to victory in 2012; Rostropovich took them along at a fair pace and very few managed to get involved, the first 3 in those positions from a very early stage, The Pentagon probably worth marking up in the circumstances.

LATROBE (IRE) a facile winner of a 6-runner maiden at this track earlier this month, took his form to another level to spring a bit of a surprise (longest-priced winner since Frozen Fire in 2008), well placed the way things panned out but showing plenty of determination where it mattered; close up, effort 2f out, edged ahead entering final 1f, stuck to task, well positioned; has lots of options open to him now, including the St Leger, although isn't really bred to stay much further than this.

ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) progressed again after 8 days off, readily turning around Ascot form with Old Persian, the step up to 1½m clearly the making of him, but was seen to maximum effect in what was a tactical affair; soon led, kicked on entering straight, headed 1f out, kept on, very much had the run of the race; could be one for something like the Secretariat Stakes later in the year.

SAXON WARRIOR (JPN) appeared destined for greatness after winning the 2000 Guineas, but is in danger of not even being considered the best of the classic generation, this performance merely on a par with Epsom, excuses not so easy to come by here, settling better and well positioned the way things went, not beaten for lack of stamina either, only giving best close home; close up, pushed along entering straight, switched over 2f out, not quicken; will reportedly bid to redeem his reputation back at 1¼m in the Juddmonte International at York.

DELANO ROOSEVELT (IRE) after 8 days off, ran better than last time, looks more or less exposed by now and remains with just a maiden win to his name; raced along inside, mid-division, driven early in straight, kept on without troubling principals.

THE PENTAGON (IRE) bounced back to form, and is worthy of extra credit given how the race unfolded, the only one of those held up to land any sort of blow, essentially having a hopeless task; dropped out, still plenty to do 3f out, came wide straight, finished well, never nearer; is very stoutly bred and may yet develop into a genuine St Leger candidate.

OLD PERSIAN supplemented for this after beating Rostropovich and Delano Roosevelt in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot last week, is better judged on that form for now, in hindsight this not the day to switch to more patient tactics; mid-division, ridden entering straight, one paced, never landed a blow.

DEE EX BEE bidding to go one better than at Epsom, proved a let-down on the firmest ground he has encountered to date, the writing on the wall some way out, his lack of tactical speed cruelly exposed; tracked pace, outpaced 3f out, lost place early in straight, keeping on when snatched up final 1f; type to bounce back quickly.

BANDUA (USA) on firmer ground than previously and up 2f in trip, needed to find plenty of improvement and ran about as well as could have been expected; held up, plugged on, never a threat, left poorly placed; well worth another try at this trip.

PLATINUM WARRIOR (IRE) a decisive winner of the Gallinule here last time (Latrobe second), failed to back up that effort, not seen to best effect the way things panned out but not fully convincing at this 2f longer trip either (pedigree suggests it should be within range); waited with, pushed along 3f out, made no impression, left poorly placed.

CARLO BIRAGHI (IRE) whose last run is easily excused (reportedly amiss), resumed progress, simply not up to this better company; mid-division, driven early in straight, faded.

KNIGHT TO BEHOLD (IRE) with Frankie Dettori taking over in the saddle, again finished well held, a case of back to the drawing board after this; mid-division, driven 3f out, made no impression.

THEOBALD (IRE) without a tongue strap this time, is not bred to need this far, but was merely making up the numbers in any case; always behind.