tracked leaders, improved to dispute 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, close 4th on inner and short of room 2 out, not fluent and 5th at last, ridden run-in and stayed on strongly close home, unlucky
towards rear, some late headway from 2 out
in rear, ran very wide off bend away from stands after 2nd, soon trailing, no impression from 4 out
mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, closer in 5th after 3 out, soon ridden, 4th briefly at last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, close 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, no extra run-in
mid-division, 7th 3 out, no impression before next
mid-division, no impression from 3 out
led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, kept on run-in
Tony Martin is the leading trainer at this track with a runner in this and Paul Townend is the leading jockey. They team up with Regusci, who finished in mid-division at Cork last month, but Martin's other runner, WINGTIPS, is surely the one to beat. Campaigned at the highest level last season, Bryan Cooper's mount was fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and third in the Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival - a repeat of either of those efforts would more than suffice in this. Edward Harty's newcomers Classic Event and Diamond's First are both owned by J P McManus but may need more time while the mare Akatara usually finds at least one too good. Blacklough won a Killarney bumper in May and should be best of the rest.
Blacklough (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Soon tracked leaders, 6th from over 6f out, ridden to challenge from over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo nhf gd in May beating Minellaforleisure (11-2) by hd, 14 ran.
Wingtips (FR) 14-1 (10-7) 6th of 11, 15l behind Usual Suspects (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f 4yo hdl Grd 1 sft in Jun.
Classic Event (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Fairy Lane.
Crowned Supreme (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, raced on far side, kept on same pace from under 2f out, 12th of 13, 15l behind Drinmoy Lad (8-12) at Cork 5f hcp 47-65 hvy in Oct (flat).
Diamond's First (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Original Copy.
Fiveinthemorn (IRE) Kris Kin gelding out of More Hours.
Grange Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, no threat in straight, 7th of 12, well behind Jezki (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Killshallago (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Waited with, progress to track leaders from over 6f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 3f out, 5th of 20, 12l behind Hilltop Tommy (11-7) at Cork 2m N H flat gd in May.
Kilmainham (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th halfway, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 9, well behind Sizing Rio (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Let Me Fly (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, 14th of 18, well behind Pique Sous (11-12) at Thurles 2m Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) in Oct.
New Buddy (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Towards rear, never a factor, 6th approaching straight, no impression from well over 1f out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Killyglass (11-11) at Wexford 2m N H flat gd in Oct.
Regusci (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, soon moderate 5th, lost place after 4 out, soon no impression, 11th of 20, 45l behind Dumbarton (11-7) at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Oct.
Summers King (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Clonbanan Lad (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Akatara (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Soon chased leaders, 6th approaching straight, 3rd and kept on well under pressure without getting to 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Somedaysomehow (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m mares mdn hdl in Oct.
