WICKLOW BRAVE is in a completely different class to these rivals and would be giving lumps of weight away in a handicap. A Grade 1-winning hurdler, he's run some superb races on the level with his best run coming when narrowly beaten by subsequent Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling, who was receiving a stone, in last year's Curragh Cup. Morga has always gone well on this track on the Flat and over hurdles and though unraced since a fine run in the Galway Hurdle a year ago looks comfortably the best of the remainder. The veteran Inis Meain has managed to win eight times but was well beaten over fences here on Tuesday while Brontide, who completed a double the last time he ran on the Flat in 2016, has been badly out of form over hurdles. Ask Katie will pick up some prize money though can't be considered.
Wicklow Brave 4-5fav (11-0) Raced towards rear and 6th from halfway, took closer order on outer from 3f out, ridden to challenge from 2f out and soon disputed lead, led from 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Killarney 1m 6f gd in Jul beating Le Vagabond (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Brontide (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Inis Meain (USA) 66-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, moderate 8th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 15, 15 1/2l behind St Stephens Green (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f Yielding in Jul.
Ask Katie (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Raced in 13th early, soon 8th, progress and effort straight, no impression from over 1f out, soon impeded briefly, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 4 3/4l behind Nulife (9-6) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Morga (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division on outer, closer 3 out and 5th next, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 20, 8 1/2l behind Tigris River (10-9) at Galway 2m hcp Yielding in Aug.
