raced in 7th early, no impression straight
tracked leaders, 4th early, one pace straight
prominent, 2nd early, on terms under 4f out, led under 3f out, attempted to assert from 2f out, headed and kept on same pace well inside final furlong
raced in 8th early, under pressure 4f out, no extra under 3f out, eased final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd early, slightly impeded under 1f out, soon switched left and not much room between horses close home, kept on without matching winner
raced in 5th early, under pressure over 3f out, no impression straight
dwelt, towards rear for most, no extra from before straight, eased inside final furlong
tracked leaders, raced on outer and took keen hold, led over 7f out until pulled up over 6f out
dwelt, raced in 10th early, no impression straight
towards rear, raced in 11th early, no impression when impeded before straight
pushed along to soon lead, headed over 7f out, soon left in lead again until joined under 4f out, headed under 3f out, kept on same pace from 2f out
raced in 9th early, progress to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on well from 1f out to lead well inside final furlong
in rear, headway before straight, soon chased leaders and kept on without threatening
Dara Tango, who was in fine form over hurdles during the winter, ran an excellent race back on the Flat at Leopardstown in June but was engaged in the 5.25 here yesterday. PLAIN TALKING won over hurdles at the meeting a year ago and has been chasing but she's on a lowly mark back on the Flat and can take advantage. Ensign has yet to win and makes his handicap debut though should have conditions to suit while Mr Adjudicator ran very well here on Monday and is just 1lb higher. Set To Fire has won two of his last three and had a bit in hand at Down Royal while Royal Flag represents Brian Ellison who has such a god record at the fixture.
Royal Flag 10-1 (8-12) Tracked front pair, driven 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance from over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Stamford Raffles (9-11) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Face Value 25-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before next, at Roscommon 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Bottleofsmoke (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Towards rear, some headway on outer approaching straight, soon ridden and 6th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 17, 11 3/4l behind Andratx (9-4) at Galway 1m 4f hcp sft in Aug.
Ensign 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 5th 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6 3/4l behind Haripour (9-5) at Navan 1m 5f mdn gd in Jun.
Highland Fling (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Rear of mid-division, ridden in 11th 2 out, went 5th at last, no extra run-in, 4th of 20, 12 3/4l behind Davids Charm (11-1) at Galway 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
Mr Adjudicator 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders but no impression straight, stayed on well without threatening inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Pearl Of The West (9-5) at Galway 1m 4f hcp sft in Jul.
Dawerann (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to chase winner from last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Solway Prince (10-1) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Shamar (FR) 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along approaching straight and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 17, 17l behind Andratx (9-4) at Galway 1m 4f hcp sft in Aug.
Whats The Plot (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression 8th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Usa (9-13) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul.
Set To Fire (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway under 2f out, 5th 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, led on line, won at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul beating Shamar (9-8) by ns, 13 ran.
Plain Talking (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Towards rear, 13th after 7th, mistake 2 out, no extra after last, 13th of 19, 28l behind Riviera Sun (10-11) at Galway 2m 7f hcp sft in Aug.
Dara Tango (FR) 20-1 (8-6) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and headway on inner entering straight, switched right and 6th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Automated (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jun.
Runyon Rattler (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Held up, 9th halfway, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 11 1/4l behind Diodorus (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Jul.
Easy Pass (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division on inner, not fluent 2 out and soon pushed along in 8th, ridden in 5th before last, no impression and kept on into 4th run-in, 4th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Monarch (11-6) at Kilbeggan 2m mdn gd in Jul.
He's Our Man (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division early, 11th after 3rd, no impression from before 2 out, 14th of 20, dist behind Pateen (11-10) at Galway 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Nelson Road (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) In rear, 9th halfway, 8th 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, no threat, 6th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Lord Justice (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Manomine 5-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 8f out, stayed handy, led over 1f out, stayed on, driven out, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Jul beating Traditional Dancer (9-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Carraigin Aonair (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 16, 12 1/2l behind Park Row (9-12) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Scenic Star (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, 2nd 5th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, weakened and dropped to 4th last, 4th of 6, 18 1/4l behind Johnny Go (10-10) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Dark Amber 20-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along approaching straight, kept on same pace, 9th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Temasek Star (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Emily Square (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Held up, 7th halfway, pushed along from 3f out, improved into 2nd over 1f out, every chance final furlong, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 12, hd behind Temasek Star (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
