always behind, pushed along halfway, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
chased leader in 2nd, led 5f out, clear briefly 3f out, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, dropped to moderate 3rd over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders in 4th, ridden in moderate 5th 3f out, soon no impression
led, headed 5f out, regained lead 2 1/2f out, soon pushed along, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders in 5th, closer in 3rd halfway, ridden in moderate 4th 3f out, weakened
slowly into stride, held up in 6th, ridden in moderate 6th 3f out, no impression, never a factor
chased leaders early, dropped to rear after 3f, ridden in moderate 7th 3f out, moderate 6th 2f out, kept on one paced
in rear, pushed along in moderate 7th 6f out, progress into moderate 3rd and ridden 3f out, headway into 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure in 2nd inside final furlong
Tap Focus stepped up to this trip for the first time at Roscommon and lost his maiden tag. He's respected but the presence of Nina Carberry in the saddle should swing things the way of PLACERE (NAP). Richard Brabazon's mare has gained two of her three career victories over the track and trip and bounced back to form with a good run at Tipperary last time when Zeftan was just behind. The latter had won here previously so is an obvious threat but Alnahar has done better over shorter and his only victory has come at Dundalk.
Zeftan (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Rear, 10th 6f out, 9th 3 1/2f out, good progress to 2nd under 2f out, no impression on winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on 1f out, dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Elm Grove (10-13) at Tipperary 1m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Alnahar (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, driven approaching straight, progress to 4th on inner 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Udogo (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf in Aug.
Jan Van Eyck (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Pushed along briefly early, close up and disputed lead, pushed along again under 3f out, headed 2f out, soon one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 11 3/4l behind Full Court Press (8-8) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul.
Melanna (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden and no impression over 2f out when ran around and slightly hampered, soon no extra, 11th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Tap Focus (8-9) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Free State 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, 9th halfway, ridden under 3f out, no impression, dropped to 12th under 2f out, some headway to 9th 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Udogo (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf in Aug.
Shukhov (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden in 12th entering straight, kept on final furlong to 9th, never nearer, 9th of 19, 7 1/4l behind Mcguigan (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp gd in Aug.
Tap Focus (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on to challenge 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well closing stages, won at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug beating The Nutcracker (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Placere (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Towards rear, 9th 6f out, 8th 3 1/2f out, driven approaching straight, ridden in 8th over 2f out, good headway to 3rd over 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on final furlong to 2nd, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Elm Grove (10-13) at Tipperary 1m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Captain Carleton (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) In rear, closer order halfway, slightly impeded 3f out and no impression, no extra and eased from 2f out, completely tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Paddy The Celeb (10-0) at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Aug.
