chased leaders, moderate 5th 6f out, some headway entering straight, 4th under 2f out, headway under pressure into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leader in 2nd, headway to join issue approaching straight, led briefly 2f out, no extra and dropped to 4th inside final furlong
settled towards rear, never a factor, moderate 7th halfway, ridden and no impression in rear approaching straight
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along entering straight, switched left to challenge over 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well
led, pushed along and joined approaching straight, headed under preesure 2f out, 3rd and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
always towards rear, moderate 6th halfway, no extra entering straight
settled in rear, headway into 4th approaching straight, ridden and soon no extra from 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 5th approaching straight, no impression under pressure in 6th 2f out, rallied and kept on well closing stages
John Oxx has won this for the past two years and is well placed to complete a hat-trick via ROSES FOR THE LADY, who was having only her second start since last July when third behind Tactic in a Group 3 over the C&D in June. Last year's Irish Oaks runner-up should now be nearing her peak and she should have no problems from stablemate What A Charm. Drumfire had little chance against Profound Beauty at Leopardstown but has since made a fine debut over timber at Galway though he most certainly wouldn't be expected to beat Silverhand over hurdles as Noel Meade's charge produced the run of his life to land the Freshways Handicap Hurdle at The Festival. Rajik returned to form when dropping back to 1m4f at Galway but has no problems staying the trip and likes fast conditions.
Silverhand (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, headway in 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, soon led, kept on well final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Oct beating Trojan War (9-0) by 2l, 13 ran.
Drumfire (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Towards rear, moderate 7th 4f out, closer entering straight, 6th on outer over 1f out, kept on well final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Profound Beauty (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd in Jul.
Loch Long (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3f out, no impression in 3rd 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 16l behind Profound Beauty (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Rajik (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden into 9th 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, ran on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Galway 1m 4f hcap gf in Jul beating Scandal Sheet (9-6) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Roses For The Lady (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Led and clear, reduced lead before straight and pushed along, soon narrowly headed, dropped to 3rd and no impression from under 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Tactic (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Boulay (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra in 6th 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 9, 10l behind Princess Lomi (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gd in Jul.
Fictional Account (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Settled towards rear, headway entering straight, went 3rd 2f out, challenged from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, won at Dundalk 2m 1f hcp pol in Jul beating Solo Performer (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
What A Charm (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 7l behind Latin Love (9-10) at Curragh 1m 1f fll lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Montbretia 20-1 (10-11) Chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden in 7th 3f out, no extra and weakened, 12th of 13, 38l behind Mon Champion (9-11) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp 60-100 gd in Jul.
