chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra entering straight, slight mistake last, weakened run-in
held up in 4th, jumped slightly slow and niggled along throughout, dropped to rear 5 out and soon ridden, no impression 3 out, kept on one pace behind
held up in rear, 4th 5 out, progress in 3rd before 2 out, 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, ridden entering straight, mistake last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace
led and disputed, led 5 out, pushed out to assert run-in, comfortably
led and disputed, 2nd from 5 out, dropped to 3rd 3 out and soon ridden along, no extra in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace run-in to go moderate 3rd
A cracking little race for the money. Meldrum Lad, an easy winner over 2m4f at Wexford in July, will have found the minimum trip too short at Tramore last month but still came away with the spoils after being narrowly beaten then awarded the race. Polished Rock's only success came on fast ground so he'll enjoy the conditions more than most while the mare Well Tuned must be a threat with her allowance, though she's probably better over further. Cape Glory is another whose best form has been over a slightly longer trip though he's been performing well in tough races but it's DRACO and Most Peculiar, who fought out a tremendous finish at the Festival here, who can dominate this. The latter just had the call that day but had the benefit of a previous run over timber whereas Aidan O'Brien's charge was making his debut. He's since shown the benefit of the experience with an easy victory at Bellewstown and can reverse the form and take this.
Meldrum Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd and checked after 3 out, ridden to go 2nd last, carried left run-in, kept on under pressure, finished 2nd and placed 1st, won at Tramore 2m nh nov hdl gd in Aug beating War Of The Pennys (11-2) by shd, 6 ran.
Cape Glory (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, no impression in 3rd after 3 out, dropped to 4th after last, 4th of 5, 5l behind Klepht (11-0) at Killarney 2m 6f nh nov hdl gd in Aug.
Draco 1-3fav (11-4) Soon chased leaders, 4th before halfway, 6th before 4 out, 4th again before 3 out, soon 2nd, led before 2 out travelling smoothly, soon clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Bellewstown 2m 1f mdn hdl gd in Aug beating Mind The Pennies (11-4) by 6l, 12 ran.
Most Peculiar (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent and disputed, led 2 out, ridden before last, strongly pressed run-in, kept on well under pressure closing stages, won at Galway 2m mdn hdl gd in Jul beating Draco (11-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Well Tuned (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Led, pushed along approaching straight, headed after 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Ask Vic (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mrs nov hdl in Aug.
Polished Rock (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up on inner, slightly impeded 2nd and pushed along briefly, under pressure after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, 7th into straight, no impression when hit last, one pace run-in, 7th of 8, 11l behind Mckinley (11-4) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul.
