towards rear, soon 9th, pushed along from halfway, no impression 2f out, soon no extra
soon disputed lead, pushed along over 2f out, soon gained narrow lead, headed 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
soon tracked leaders in 4th, close up halfway, pushed along over 2f out, impeded 1 1/2f out, dropped to 6th 1f out, one pace
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, led from 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
soon chased leaders in 6th, pushed along over 2f out, 5th 1f out and switched left, 2nd and kept on without troubling winner closing stages
slightly awkward leaving stalls, held up, soon 8th, pushed along over 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, one pace
dwelt, in rear, no impression 2f out, moderate 8th over 1f out, kept on same pace
soon disputed lead, pushed along over 2f out, soon narrowly headed, edged right 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, one pace
swished tail, soon raced in 7th, pushed along from halfway, no impression 2f out, soon no extra
soon chased leaders in 5th, pushed along 3f out, some headway on outer from 2f out, 4th 1f out, no impression and kept on inside final furlong
With most of these arriving in good form, this looks an incredibly tight handicap. Three Bells scored over 6f at Fairyhouse at the beginning of the month but couldn't quite cope with a penalty over a mile at Bellewstown two days later so this trip should be ideal. Have A Nice Day is only up 3lb for his course and distance victory last month and looks certain to get competitive though he finished behind Toccata Blue when the latter was runner-up at Gowran in May and Ger Lyons' grey has since scored at Leopardstown. He looks a threat to all as does the progressive filly Creggs Pipes, who makes her handicap debut though it's another from the younger generation, CRUIDIN, who looks the one to be on. Jim Bolger's filly has been making steady progress and looked a filly to follow when always travelling nicely to score at Roscommon.
Nebulla 9-4fav (9-5) Raced wide close up, led entering final 2f, ridden and ran on, won at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Nov beating Global Force (9-5) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Breathe Easy (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Soon led, attempted to assert from over 2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, kept on well, headed closing stages, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Hasanour (9-9) at Curragh 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Texas Rock (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Bumped slightly soon after start, soon led, a little keen, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and drifted left off rail, headed 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Rummaging (9-12) at Gowran Park 7f hcp gd in Jun.
Have A Nice Day 8-1 (9-7) Disputed lead, led 2 1/2f out, ridden under 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong. stayed on well close home, won at Curragh 7f hcp gd in Jun beating Hunt (9-1) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Captain Cullen (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Towards rear, travelled well entering straight, pushed along in 6th 1 1/2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well to 2nd on line, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Trinity Force (9-6) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gf in Jul.
Penny Pepper (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, eased close home, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Morselle (9-2) at Fairyhouse 6f gd in May.
Iron Major (IRE) 8-15fav (9-7) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 4th on outer 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Mr Good Guy (9-5) at Fairyhouse 7f gf in Jul.
Creggs Pipes (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Broke well to lead, pushed along early straight, soon pressed, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 7f mdn fll gf in Jun beating Ibergman (9-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Cruidin (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Towards rear and swished tail early, headway 3f out, went 4th travelling well 2f out, pushed along to lead over 1f out, kept on well under hands and heels final furlong, swished tail close home, won at Roscommon 7f hcp fll gd in Jul beating Perfect Fit (9-5) by 2l, 8 ran.
Three Bells (IRE) 3-1fav (10-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on under pressure, 3rd final 100 yards, disputed 2nd close home, 2nd at line, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Cheers Buddy (9-8) at Bellewstown 1m hcp gf in Jul.
Toccata Blue (IRE) 10-3fav (9-12) Soon tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd halfway, pushed along before straight, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 1m hcp gf in Jun beating Maudlin Magdalen (9-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
