chased leader, slight mistake 1st and rider briefly lost iron, close up from next and disputed at times, disputed from 6th, slight mistake 3 out, soon led narrowly, joined next and ridden, left in lead last, kept on and strongly pressed run-in, all out
held up, mainly 4th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden in rear 3 out, closer on outer in 3rd before 2 out, under pressure in 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace, hampered last and no impression run-in
held up in rear, closer behind leaders 3 out, travelled well before 2 out, ridden and switched left after 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, closer and slight mistake last, kept on well run-in to press leader, just held
led and disputed, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no extra and weakened before next where slight slow, tailed off
held up behind leaders, mainly 3rd, improved to challenge after 3 out, disputed next, soon ridden, upsides and every chance when fell last
Some progressive types here but RASHAAN looks the one to beat. A fantastic servant to Colin Kidd, he's won 13 of his 39 starts and is unbeaten on this course including this race in 2017. His latest Grade 2 victory at Fairyhouse would be good enough for this. Borice is very interesting as he won three times over fences in France but didn't show much in two starts for Gordon Elliott before reverting to hurdles and landing a novices' race at Uttoxeter by a distance. His stable also run Road To Dubai, four times a winner on the Flat and a comfortable winner at Ballinrobe on just his second start over timber, and Poli Roi, who had been chasing before finding the smart Great White Shark too good over timber at Wexford. The West's Awake hasn't run over hurdles for two years but has won four times over fences in that time while Goose Man alternates between hurdles and fences and has been going well in both.
Goose Man (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 4th after 8th, improved to lead approaching straight, joined from before 2 out, came close with rival run-in, kept on well, headed close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Sizing Rome (11-0) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Rashaan (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, 4th before straight, challenged and led between last 2, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Not Many Left (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Road To Dubai (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders, slightly awkward 1st, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, improved to lead before last, pressed last, ridden to assert entering straight, kept on well closing stages, won at Ballinrobe 2m 2f mdn gd in May beating Bonarc (10-11) by 4l, 14 ran.
Poli Roi (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Prominent and led after 1st, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and headed next, soon edged right and ridden, no impression on winner from before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Great White Shark (10-12) at Wexford 3m gd in May.
The West's Awake (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Close up, 3rd approaching 5th, on terms before 7th, not fluent 4 out, led after 3 out, joined 2 out, regained lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in May beating Supreme Vinnie (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Borice (FR) 2-5fav (10-12) Made all, clear 3 out, canter, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Jun beating Fortified Bay (11-4) by 34l, 4 ran.
