tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2 out and dropped to 3rd before last, ridden and no impression run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, detached in rear 3 out, no extra and eased, pulled up before last
tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression when mistake last, no extra
tracked leaders, hampered and lost place on bend at halfway, some headway 3 out and pushed along in 5th next, ridden and no impression last, under pressure and kept on to go 4th on line
tracked leaders, stumbled after 4th, badly hampered on bend halfway and soon dropped towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, switched left after 2 out and headway in 2nd before last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, no impression closing stages
mid-division on inner, lost place on bend after 4th, pushed along and no impression on outer approaching 2 out, no extra
mid-division on outer, ran freely, 7th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra when mistake last
held up in rear of mid-division, some progress approaching 2 out, went 4th at last, pushed along and headway between horses on run-in to lead close home
tracked leaders, bumped on bend after 4th and 6th halfway, pushed along 2 out and no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in
towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and some headway after 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 5th and slightly hampered on bend at halfway, pushed along and lost place after 3 out, no extra
mid-division, pushed along when slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace from before last
towards rear, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden in rear of mid-division entering straight, kept on one pace, never a factor
hampered and lost prominent position at start, rear of mid-division, progress 3 out and 6th next, soon ridden and no impression on outer before last, kept on one pace run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace from 2 out
always towards rear, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra, never a factor
led, pushed along 2 out, ridden before last and kept on run-in, no extra and headed close home
This looks trickier than ever with so many entering the fray in great form and others obviously laid out for the lucrative prize. Willie Mullins has four entries with Shanning in the former category having won easily at Killarney a couple of weeks ago, though stable companion RIVEN LIGHT (NAP) could be the one to beat. Twice a winner on the Flat at this meeting, his hurdles form back in 2017 was smart and subsequent exploits on the level suggest he's well handicapped on 139. Neither of the stable's remaining pair, Sayo and Stratum, can be dismissed while Joseph O'Brien holds a strong hand with Fred Winter winner Band of Outlaws, just touched off in a Grade 3 at Tipperary last time with Tombstone behind, and Gardens of Babylon, placed in top novice company at Leopardstown and Cheltenham in the spring. However, no four-year-old has won this in 30 years while it's 20 years since any winner carried more than Sole Pretender's 11st8lb. Gordon Elliott only has two entries this time but Naas Grade 2 winner Chosen Mate looks to have been laid out having had a run on the Flat at Leopardstown last month. Tony Martin has won this twice in recent years and the reliable Tudor City will be primed for a big run as will Gavin Cromwell's pair at the foot of the weights, Ming Dynasty and Ejayteekay, 1-2 in a tough Bellewstown handicap last month.
Sole Pretender (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Soon led, pushed along from last and soon extended advantage, kept on well closing stages, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp gd in May beating Waterville Dancer (10-3) by 6l, 16 ran.
Sayo 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, joined leader before 3rd, not fluent and lost place 3 out, soon back on terms, effort turning in, soon ridden, outpaced when left 3rd last, kept on, no chance with front pair flat, 3rd of 9, 5 1/4l behind Farclas (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Stratum 9-2fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, every chance 2f out, struggling to hold place when hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 19, 5 1/2l behind Who Dares Wins (9-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Davids Charm (IRE) 4-1jfav (8-13) Mid-division early, a little keen, 7th after halfway, not much room briefly approaching straight, soon headway behind horses, effort when tight for room inside final furlong, soon switched left, kept on without getting to front pair, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Shakespear'sgalley (8-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Chosen Mate (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Waited with in rear, closed up travelling smoothly from over 3f out, on terms under 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, slightly impeded 1f out and switched right, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sneaky Getaway (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn gf in Jul.
Band of Outlaws (IRE) 6-4 (11-1) Waited with in 4th and a little keen, 3rd before straight, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, challenged between last 2 and every chance, kept on well without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 5, nk behind Thomas Hobson (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Jul.
Tombstone (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Disputed lead early, prominent, switched left after 2 out and ridden, not match front pair approaching last, kept on same pace run-in and dropped to 4th near line, 4th of 5, 5 1/4l behind Thomas Hobson (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Jul.
Riven Light (IRE) 17-2 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 16, 6 1/4l behind Addeybb (9-3) at Ascot 1m 2f lst stks (1) sft in Jun.
Tudor City (IRE) 11-2cfav (8-4) A little keen, waited with, 7th after halfway, pushed along before straight, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Magnetic North (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul.
Hearts Are Trumps (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway into 5th entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 5 1/4l behind Ivanovich Gorbatov (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Pearl Of The West (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led, headed at 5th, led again before 3 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, dropped to 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Ming Dynasty (10-10) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Gardens of Babylon (IRE) 4-6fav (10-3) Held up, rapid headway on outer after 4f, 6th halfway, progress to 3rd under 4f out, pushed along to 2nd under 3f out, soon ridden, no impression, dropped to 3rd final 150 yards, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Monty's Miracle (9-0) at Killarney 1m 6f mdn Good - Yielding in Jul.
Golden Spear 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division on inner, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 18th of 25, dist behind Mr Adjudicator (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Play The Game (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, travelled well and progress on outer to lead 2 out, asserted before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m hcp gd in Jun beating Ingleby Mackenzie (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Shanning (FR) 1-2fav (10-9) Raced in 3rd, closed up from 4 out, soon 2nd, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, asserted between last 2, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 4f gd in Jul beating Pravalaguna (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 4 ran.
Ejayteekay 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division on outer, headway 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, soon led, ridden 2 out, headed at last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Ming Dynasty (10-10) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Ming Dynasty (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Waited with in rear, still travelling smoothly from 3 out, pushed along and switched right and headway between horses before 2 out, no impression before last, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Lucky Icon (10-4) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Due Reward (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In touch in mid-division, effort after 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 9th of 24, 9 3/4l behind Ch'tibello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
The King Of Brega (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Close up, lost position from 2 out, no extra approaching straight, 9th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Ming Dynasty (10-3) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Garo De Juilley (FR) 28-1 (11-3) Slowly away, always behind, 16th of 24, 32 3/4l behind Early Doors (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 6-5jfav (11-12) Made all, slight mistake 2nd, travelling well when pressed before last, ridden and kept on well, drifted left close home, won at Downpatrick 2m 1f gd in Jul beating Lethal Steps (11-6) by 2l, 3 ran.
Star Maker 13-2 (11-2) In rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out, at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Light That (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Broke well to lead, headed after 1f, checked and dropped to rear of mid-division after 2f, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression in moderate 7th 2 1/2f out, weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Shoulda Lied (8-13) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
