always prominent, led under 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on well close home
mid-division, 9th halfway, weakened straight
chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and progress 2f out, 4th 1 1/2f out, stayed on well in 2nd final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, weakened straight
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out
led, ridden and headed under 2f out, weakening when checked on inner over 1f out
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression from 2f out
rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, no impression straight
always towards rear
chased leaders, 5th halfway, soon ridden and weakened
in rear, pushed along entering straight, some progress from 2f out, kept on without threatening
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, kept on in 3rd final furlong
rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, no impression straight
in rear, pushed along entering straight, some progress from 1 1/2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
Elusive Ridge has won five times around here but is better over further. Invincible Ridge is just beginning to find his feet for new connections and his recent second to Colour Of Love could be given a boost in today's opener. The Reaper is a class-act who doesn't win often enough. His recent placed effort in a Group 3 would be good enough for this but he was beaten three times from lower marks over the C&D in October including when a couple of lengths behind DUFF, who is 7lb better off. Eddie Lynam's veteran has had a break after racing over longer trips and in the hope that he's at his best he can take advantage of a falling mark. The three-year-old Among Equals looks best of the remainder though Balmont Mast looks to be on the way back to his best form.
The Reaper (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden and briefly challenged over 1f out, 4th early final furlong, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Tiddliwinks (10-0) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Katla (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, headway under 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Inxile (9-9) at Tipperary 5f Listed stks (1) hvy.
Balmont Mast (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders on rail early, 5th halfway, switched out 2f out, ridden into 3rd over 1f out, kept on in 2nd inside final furlong, not match winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind An Saighdiur (9-2) at Tipperary 5f hcp 60-100 hvy.
Billyford (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 2f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind One Spirit (9-6) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Elusive Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Piri Wango (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f hcp gs.
When Not Iff (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Tracked leader in 2nd and took keen hold, pushed along early straight and dropped to 5th 1f out, no extra, 5th of 6, 5l behind Bogini (8-13) at Leopardstown 6f fll stks gs in Jul.
Zabarajad (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Prominent and disputed lead, headed early straight and dropped to 7th 2f out, no extra from well over 1f out, weakened, 12th of 14, 13l behind Bold Thady Quill (8-7) at Naas 7f hcp gf in Jun.
Timeless Call (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Led, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, no extra, 9th of 15, 8l behind The Reaper (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Norville (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 10l behind Fire Lily (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1).
Duff (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 4l behind Banna Boirche (10-3) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Apr.
Invincible Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 9, ns behind Colour Of Love (9-11) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp sft in Jul.
Among Equals 14-1 (9-2) Led and soon clear, reduced lead and joined under 3f out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 17l behind Akeed Mofeed (9-2) at Cork 1m Listed stks (1).
Copper Dock (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Soon tracked leaders, closed from over 2f out, ridden to chase winner from over 1f out, stayed on well without getting there closing stages, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Calm Bay (8-9) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jul.
Grey Danube (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden and lost place entering straight, kept on one pace, 9th of 13, 9l behind Bonnie Acclamation (9-2) at Leopardstown 6f hcp gs.
