towards rear and 8th from halfway, not fluent on inner 3 out and soon pushed along, no impression from next and kept on again into 6th run-in
mid-division and 7th from halfway, pushed along in 6th from 2 out and went 3rd from last, soon ridden and no impression run-in, kept on same pace close home
mid-division and 5th from halfway, not fluent 4 out and soon dropped to rear, no impression from 2 out, kept on again into 7th run-in
soon led, pushed along and headed from 2 out, no extra and weakened from last
chased leaders and 4th from halfway, took closer order before 2 out and soon went 2nd, ridden to challenge from last, no impression and kept on same pace closing stages
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, 2nd from halfway, took closer order from 3 out and improved to lead from next
towards rear, closer in 6th from halfway, jumped slightly left 3 out, pushed along in 3rd on outer approaching last where not fluent, soon ridden in 4th, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, in rear from halfway, ridden and no impression in 8th from 2 out, kept on same pace from last
chased leaders, 3rd from halfway, pushed along from 3 out and soon lost place, no extra and kept on same pace from last
The Sliding Rock looked suited by a stamina test when scoring over 2m4f at Wexford and was outpaced in the closing stages in a much better race over 2m at Punchestown. Ashqar is 1-31, scoring over the minimum at Kilbeggan last month, but It Takes Time won over the track and trip, with subsequent winner Knot On Time behind, and ran better than her finishing position suggests on a return visit. Thatbeatsbanagher scored over fences at Killarney in July and followed up over timber at Tramore a few days later. He's on a 13lb lower mark than over the bigger obstacles so must be a threat. Ardaghs Choice created a 100/1 shock in a Kilbeggan handicap while Flaming Aimee showed that stamina is her strong point when scoring over 3m at Wexford. LIGHTHOUSE ROSE is up 12lb for her victory over the track and trip, which is hardly surprising given she won by 13 lengths, so gets the vote in a very competitive heat.
The Sliding Rock 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on into 2nd before last but no impression on leader, slight mistake last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Getaway Gorgeous (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 1f Yielding in Sep.
Ashqar (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) In rear, went 6th 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th before last, went moderate 3rd after last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Goodbye Someday (11-10) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp Yielding in Sep.
It Takes Time (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, 10th 3 out, ridden in 7th 2 out, went 5th at last, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Basil's Boy (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp gd in Aug.
Thatbeatsbanagher (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistakes 7th and 4 out, ridden to dispute briefly 3 out, soon under pressure in 2nd, kept on same pace without matching winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Trickey Trix (11-5) at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Knot On Time (IRE) 16-5 (11-6) Rear of mid-division early, headway into 4th at 3rd, improved to lead after 4 out, ridden before last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn gd in Aug beating Wigglesworth (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ardaghs Choice (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, close 3rd after 2 out, pushed along and led before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, reduced margin final 50 yards, held on, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Sep beating Mick Charlie (11-1) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Flamin Aimee (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd entering straight, ridden after 2 out, improved to dispute lead at last, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Wexford 3m mdn gd in Sep beating Hand In My Pocket (11-9) by nk, 9 ran.
Ballinlina Boy 50-1 (11-6) Waited with, soon in rear, pushed along after 3 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last, one pace, 8th of 9, 20 3/4l behind Royal Aide (11-7) at Sligo 3m mdn gd in Aug.
Lighthouse Rose (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Led, 5 lengths clear from 2 out and soon extended advantage, kept on well run-in, eased down close home, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp gd in Aug beating Dime A Dozen (11-12) by 13l, 10 ran.
