soon raced towards rear in 6th, pushed along and some headway before straight, switched right approaching 2 out where mistake, soon no impression and kept on same pace without threatening
led and soon went on, slight mistake 3 out, headed approaching next, soon no extra, one pace
soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 5th, 2nd from 4 out, led approaching 2 out where pecked, headed between last 2 and slightly impeded and switched left, no impression and slight mistake last, one pace
soon raced in 5th, 4th from 4 out, chased leaders from 2 out and no impression, not fluent last and no extra
soon raced in 2nd, bad mistake 4 out and lost place, dropped to last and no extra from before straight, pulled up before last
soon raced in 4th, 3rd from 4 out, closed up straight to lead between last 2 and edged slightly right to rail, soon asserted and stayed on well
slight mistake 1st, in rear, pushed along and some headway before straight, soon no impression, one pace
This looks a terrific renewal of a race that has been won by some of the great names of Irish racing. Willie Mullins has won the last three but MAKITORIX faces a huge task to continue the sequence after just one victory in a Listowel maiden in September. However, the style of that success on heavy ground suggested there was much more to come and he wouldn't be representing the yard unless thought capable of winning. Gordon Elliott has three entries, all owned by Gigginstown, and though both Hardline and Morgan should be capable of winning at grade level it's Mengli Khan who probably carries the stable's main hope. He's done superbly since being bought out of Hugo Palmer's yard and sauntered home in a Navan Grade 3 three weeks ago. J P McManus also has three runners and Barry Geraghty is on board Le Richebourg for Joseph O'Brien. An impressive winner of all three starts in the famous green and gold colours, he has to see off stable companion and Grade 3 winner Early Doors and the exciting Red Jack, yet to be beaten in bumpers and over hurdles.
Hardline (IRE) 1-3fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd before 4 out, travelled well to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on well, easily, won at Clonmel 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Flemenstar (11-12) by 12l, 6 ran.
Morgan (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway on outer to go 3rd 3 out, pushed along and no impression approaching last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Mengli Khan (10-12) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Early Doors (FR) 3-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed briefly after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Meri Devie (10-6) by 2l, 5 ran.
Le Richebourg (FR) 4-9fav (11-7) Prominent, soon 2nd, stumbled slightly 6th, closed up approaching 2 out where slight mistake, on terms from before straight, led run-in, stayed on well to soon assert, comfortably, won at Galway 2m 1f Yielding in Jul beating Twobeelucky (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Makitorix (FR) 4-9fav (11-7) Disputed lead early at slow pace, soon led, not fluent 3rd, asserted straight, pecked at last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Listowel 2m mdn hvy in Sep beating Motcomb Street (11-7) by 18l, 8 ran.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead approaching straight, joined 2 out, travelled well and led last, drew clear run-in, very easily, won at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Stratum (10-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Red Jack (IRE) 1-3fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead entering straight, led 2 out, soon pushed along and clear, ridden run-in and stayed on well, won at Naas 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Stooshie (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
