raced in 2nd, slight mistake 7th, challenged from last travelling smoothly, on terms straight, soon pushed along, not match winner inside final furlong, one pace
raced in 3rd, slight mistake 7th, soon dropped off leading pair, no impression under pressure from last
soon well behind in rear, jumped slightly left at times, never a factor
led, pushed along from last and pressed, joined straight, led again inside final furlong and stayed on best
Just a handful of runners here but only Battling Boru looks out of it. The Game Changer was well beaten in the Galway Hurdle last time and is heavily penalised for his three victories over fences including when just under a length in front of Rock The World at Roscommon in June with Upazo close behind in third. The runner-up has the better of the weights here and was taking on a very useful rival when second to Sizing Platinum at the Festival. GUITAR PETE, a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, is still only a five-year-old so gets allowances which may come in useful. He's taking on much stronger opposition than when scoring at Kilbeggan but looks ready for the test.
The Game Changer (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5th, 8th after 3 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, 12th of 20, 27 1/4l behind Quick Jack (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Upazo (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden in 2nd, no impression next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Viconte Du Noyer (11-8) at Killarney 2m 5f gd in Aug.
Battling Boru (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 4th 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 5th next, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Broughtons Bandit (11-12) at Tramore 2m 6f gd in Aug.
Rock The World (IRE) 9-10fav (11-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 4 out, ridden in 2nd after last, kept on same pace straight, not match winner closing stages, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Sizing Platinum (11-6) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Jul.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 4-11fav (11-8) Chased leaders, improved to dispute 7th, led next, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Aug beating Rendezvous Peak (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
