towards rear and well off pace halfway, kept on one pace in straight without threatening
dwelt and towards rear, some headway early straight but no extra from over 1f out
chased clear leader and moderate 5th halfway, no impression in 4th entering straight, no extra from over 1f out
rear of mid-division and well off pace halfway, in rear entering straight and no extra, weakened
settled in rear and well off pace halfway, some headway into 5th 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest at finish
chased clear leader and moderate 6th halfway, no extra and dropped towards rear entering straight
chased clear leader in mid-division, moderate 8th halfway, no extra from early straight
rear of mid-division and well off pace halfway, ridden and no impression early straight, 10th over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased clear leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd approaching straight and headway to challenge under 2f out, kept on under pressure, no extra final 50 yards
chased clear leader in mid-division halfway, moderate 5th entering straight and no extra under 2f out
chased clear leader and moderate 4th halfway, no extra in 9th early straight, kept on one pace without threatening
chased clear leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd and ridden approaching straight, headway to lead under 2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong to assert near line
soon led, raced keenly and clear before halfway, reduced advantage entering straight and headed under 2f out, soon no extra and weakened final furlong
towards rear and well off pace halfway, some headway into 8th early straight, 5th 1f out and kept on inside final furlong, nearest at finish
Shield won a Leopardstown bumper in March but was beaten a distance on his reappearance at Ballinrobe in August so is best watched for now. RAE'S CREEK started favourite on his last start at Fairyhouse in June but couldn't quite cope with Venus De Milo. Given the subsequent exploits of the winner that was no surprise and, if ready for this after a break, he will take all the beating. Cape Glory is making decent progress and should be winning soon if his run behind Timikar at Roscommon is anything to go by and he holds Mckinley on that run though the latter was having his first start since December.
Conan's Rock 5-1 (10-0) Waited with towards rear, 6th into straight, no impression from 2f out, 8th of 9, 24l behind Resolute Response (9-5) at Naas 1m 2f mdn stks in May.
Forest Hawk (IRE) Hawk Wing gelding out of Charnwood River.
Marty's Magic (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders on outer and 3rd halfway, ridden entering straight and soon no chance with easy winner, dropped to 5th 1f out and no extra, 5th of 6, 22l behind Orator (9-0) at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Sep.
Prof Walshe (IRE) 80-1 (9-8) Dwelt, soon ridden along in rear, never a factor, eased from before straight, tailed off, last of 14, dis behind Timikar (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn stks gd in Sep.
Shield (IRE) 11-4fav (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden 5f out, soon weakened quickly, in rear when eased 3f out, last of 12, well behind Orgilgo Bay (9-5) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks in Aug.
Thuigim (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4f out, never a factor, 13th of 17, well behind Sardinia (9-5) at Navan 2m mdn stks.
Balkinstown (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Always behind, no impression from 4f out, never a factor, 16th of 18, 42l behind Tonabrocky (9-5) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo mdn.
Benkei (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inner, ridden in 6th 3f out, soon no impression, 8th of 18, 15l behind Tonabrocky (9-5) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo mdn.
Cape Glory (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th from 4f out, closed before straight, challenged in 2nd from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Timikar (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn stks gd in Sep.
Cliff House (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 9, 9l behind Truly Delightful (9-0) at Listowel 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn hvy in Sep.
Gerdago (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, 12th of 13, 11l behind Bint Nayef (8-9) at Galway 1m 4f mdn stks gd in Sep.
Mckinley 33-1 (9-5) Soon chased leaders, under pressure in 5th from 4f out, no impression and kept on same pace straight, 5th of 14, 9l behind Timikar (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn stks gd in Sep.
Rae's Creek 5-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to challenge under 1f out, soon narrow lead, headed closing stages and no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Venus de Milo (9-0) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f mdn stks sft in Jun.
Why Me 5-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Ravello Again (9-0) at Bellewstown 1m 3yo mdn gd in Aug.
