pushed along briefly early, soon led, joined after 2f, narrowly headed from before halfway, kept on without matching winner from over 1f out
slightly impeded after 1f, soon raced in 8th, headway and effort straight, kept on without matching front pair from over 1f out
soon raced in 6th, raced towards outer straight and effort, kept on without matching principals from over 1f out
slightly impeded inside first furlong, soon raced in 7th, raced on inner straight and effort, kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon raced in 4th, effort straight, one pace from over 1f out
soon close up, on terms after 2f, gained narrow lead from before halfway, pressed straight, stayed on well inside final furlong
a little slow into stride, soon raced in 11th, headway and effort straight, no extra final furlong
uneasy in stalls, reared as gates opened and slowly into stride, pushed along, towards rear, switched right to outer over 2f out and headway, no extra final furlong
a little slow into stride and pushed along, soon raced in 9th, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out
a little slow into stride, towards rear, raced on inner straight, soon headway and effort, one pace from over 1f out
impeded inside first furlong, soon raced in 10th, headway and effort straight, kept on without matching principals from over 1f out
soon raced in 3rd, effort straight, no extra over 1f out
soon raced in 5th, raced towards outer straight and effort, no extra final furlong
Gordon Lord Byron hasn't won since landing a Group 2 at the Curragh in 2017 but that was his 16th victory and he's still perfectly capable of running a big race at this level as he's shown in much better company this summer. Never Back Down was conceding Geological 9lb when beaten just over a length a fortnight ago but the winner is expected to confirm the form on the revised terms. CITYMAN won a maiden here in February and a handicap at Navan in September before a very good run in a much better race at the Curragh. He's high enough in the weights but is capable of better and his rider's claim is a massive plus. Urban Beat finished just in front in that latter event and has since been placed at Listed level so could provide the main threat.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Soon prominent and led after 1f, soon joined, headed after halfway, lost position and no impression over 1f out. one pace, 6th of 7, 6l behind Speak In Colours (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Urban Beat (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Held up behind leaders, 6th halfway, progress in 4th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Make A Challenge (9-6) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Alfredo Arcano (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th and ridden under 2f out, under pressure and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Dr Simpson (8-4) at Dundalk 5f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Oct.
Primo Uomo (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Towards rear, some headway on inner early straight, pushed along and no impression 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Dr Simpson (8-4) at Dundalk 5f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Oct.
Cityman 11-1 (9-6) Close up, challenged after halfway, no impression over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 20, 6 3/4l behind Make A Challenge (9-8) at Curragh 5f hcp sft in Sep.
Geological (IRE) 22-1 (8-13) Prominent and led after 1 1/2f, pushed along and asserted early straight, 3 lengths clear over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct beating Never Back Down (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Hit The Silk (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Towards rear and 7th from halfway, pushed along on outer from 2f out and soon switched to inner, ridden from 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Arabeska (8-8) at Gowran Park 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Mr Scarlet 50-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 30 1/2l behind Miacomet (8-4) at Curragh 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Master Matt 14-1 (9-2) Dwelt, soon mid-division, 9th 2f out, soon ridden, went 2nd 1f out, soon no impression on winner, 3rd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 16, 3 1/4l behind All The King's Men (10-1) at Navan 6f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Nordic Passage (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Dwelt, ran freely, held up rear mid-division on inner, travelling well in 6th halfway, ridden and no extra from over 1f out, 13th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Abstraction (10-0) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Sep.
Never Back Down (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden and some headway on outer over 1f out, went 2nd 150 yards out, kept on well, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Geological (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Key To Power 9-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Musharrif (8-11) at Pontefract 6f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Plough Boy (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Prominent early, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression from under 2f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Abstraction (10-0) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Sep.
