settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression on leaders before last, soon no extra
chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, no extra in 4th before last
slight mistake and hampered 1st, held up, closer in 4th from 5th, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened and tailed off
held up towards rear, closer in 5th after 4 out, improved into 2nd after 2 out, ridden before last, closed on leader last, no impression run-in, kept on same pace
chased leader, disputed from 3rd where slight mistake, headed before 3 out, ridden in 5th after 3 out, soon no extra
led, joined and disputed from 3rd, led before 3 out, 4-length advantage after 3 out, slightly reduced advantage last, pushed out and kept on well run-in, comfortably
chased leaders early, slight mistake 4th and lost place, soon towards rear, pushed along briefly next, behind after 6th, weakened from 4 out, completely tailed off
LORD ERSKINE completed a hat-trick on the Flat last summer and has continued his progress with victories over hurdles at Sligo and Tipperary. This represents his stiffest test but he's progressing fast enough to pass. Pleasure Dome won over fences last month but couldn't land the odds in a four-runner race at Sligo next time and will probably be back over the bigger obstacles before long. Joseph O'Brien has two entries. Cheap And Cheerful looked a nice prospect when landing a Sligo maiden with ease and Border Control made Court Tycoon pull out the stops at Wexford so there should be nothing between the latter pair.
Freewheelin Dylan (IRE) 13-8 (11-3) Towards rear, progress to 4th before 5th, 3rd at 7th, pushed along to 2nd after 2 out, improved to lead approaching straight, joined at last, kept on, just failed, 2nd of 6, hd behind Ravenhill (11-10) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f gd in Jun.
Border Control (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Disputed lead, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed narrowly 2 out, kept on under pressure in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Court Tycoon (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f mdn gf in Jul.
Court Tycoon (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Disputed lead early, headed 3rd and soon raced in 4th, close 3rd travelling well 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Wexford 2m 4f mdn gf in Jul beating Border Control (11-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Lord Erskine (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Mid-division early, soon chased leaders, 9th from 6th, improved into 2nd approaching straight travelling smoothly, soon led, asserted from before last, eased closing stages, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp sft in May beating Cerealice (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 20 ran.
Cheap And Cheerful 8-15fav (11-12) Disputed lead early, gained marginal lead after 1st, pushed along and joined from 2 out, ridden before last and regained lead run-in, kept on well to extend advantage inside final 150 yards, won at Sligo 2m mdn gd in Jul beating Go Complain (11-5) by 6l, 9 ran.
Pleasure Dome 1-2fav (10-9) Chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 7th, pushed along to challenge before last, ridden and kept on run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 4, nk behind Dorkas (10-7) at Sligo 2m 4f gd in Jul.
Olive D'Haguenet (FR) 50-1 (9-3) Mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, ridden and no extra 4f out, weakened, last of 14, dist behind Bibliotheca (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp gd in Jun.
Steelambition (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led narrowly, headed before 2 out where not fluent, weakened to 4th after 2 out, no extra, 4th of 6, dist behind Ravenhill (11-10) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f gd in Jun.
Hugo 'n Taz 5-1 (11-3) Towards rear and 7th from halfway, improved into 4th from 4 out and went 3rd after next, ridden from 2 out, no impression and dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Fleurys Fort (10-3) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
