soon tracked leaders, 4th from 3rd, 2nd from 4 out, on terms and fell 3 out
held up, 7th from 3rd, closed up from before 3 out and improved to challenge before next, on terms at last, stayed on well run-in, led at line
chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, lost position and pushed along after 4 out between horses, no impression when slightly impeded 3 out, soon no extra
held up in touch, 6th from 3rd, pushed along from 4 out, no impression when impeded 3 out, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 3rd, pushed along approaching straight, progress and just in front 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd and one pace run-in
prominent, 2nd from 3rd, lost position next, no impression when impeded 3 out, one pace
soon led, some slight mistakes, joined 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon no impression in 4th, one pace
held up, 8th from 3rd, progress 4 out, challenged before 2 out, gained narrow lead approaching last where joined, kept on well run-in, headed at line
in rear and soon detached, never a factor
Due Reward didn't run at Galway due to testing ground and has been waiting for today's conditions. However, he only beat STORM RISING narrowly at Gowran in June off levels and the latter, who is just 5lb higher than his victory at the Festival a week ago, can take his revenge. Feeling The Love arrives on a hat-trick after easy victories at Killarney and Limerick though not surprisingly she's shot up the weights and will find this tougher. Tikkanen Express gained his only hurdles victory here in 2016 but is inconsistent and Babanango may pose more of a threat as he hasn't run badly in his latest starts and is at the right end of the handicap.
Due Reward (IRE) 13-8fav (11-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, took closer order from 3 out and improved to lead next, soon went 5 lengths clear, pushed along to maintain lead run-in, won at Kilbeggan 2m hcp gd in Jul beating Konig Hall (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Feeling The Love (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, switched left to outer straight, challenged 2 out, soon led travelling smoothly, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m gd in Jul beating Ejayteekay (11-6) by 7 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fort Montagu (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Led, joined 5f out and headed under 4f out, soon ridden and no impression approaching straight, no extra and eased from over 2f out, completely tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Val De Ferbet (11-7) at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in May.
Storm Rising (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, closed from before 2 out, challenged last, stayed on well run-in to lead closing stages, holding on at the finish, won at Galway 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul beating Kellyiscool (11-6) by nk, 20 ran.
Tikkanen Express (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, improved into 2nd after 2nd, disputed from 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened entering straight, 13th of 17, dist behind Golden Jewel (10-11) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp gd in May.
Thinkitplanitdoit (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Prominent and led 2nd, mistake 3 out and soon headed, dropped towards rear and badly hampered next, no extra, 8th of 10, 31 1/4l behind Master Appeal (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Nulife (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, effort straight, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul beating Acari (9-11) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
Babanango (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division on inner, ridden after 2 out, 4th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Callthebarman (10-8) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Iusetaluvheronce (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Soon led and went on early, reduced lead and headed from 4 out, no extra from before straight, eased before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Viking Hoard (9-12) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
