chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, drifted right, kept on well final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, 6th halfway, closer in 5th 6f out, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leader, moderate 2nd halfway, closed 6f out, 3rd 4f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led and clear, reduced advantage 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, late headway in 8th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden in 8th 2f out, 5th and switched 1f out, ran on well final furlong to 2nd close home
rear of mid-division, ridden in 9th 2f out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra when hampered inside final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 4f out, weakened
Romantic Lead rather lost his way in the spring and is more exposed than most of his rivals but Battling Boru is still going the right way judged on his win at Wexford in July. Rebel Fitz won on his debut at Listowel last month but the merit of that success may be questionable, while it took William Fitzpatrick's mare Littletown Lass six attempts to get off the mark. The Sadler's Wells gelding Mississippi River was sent off favourite on his debut at Punchestown in April so had obviously been showing plenty at home but he may just lack the edge to lower the colours of MASDAR on this occasion. Dermot Weld's charge won over C&D at the Festival in July and gives the impression he'll improve further with experience.
Rebel Fitz (FR) 10-3 (12-0) Mid-division, headway into 8th 5f out, 7th entering straight, ridden into 5th 1 1/2f out, stayed on to challenge under 1f out, led final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Listowel 2m 5yo nhf in Sep beating Got Options (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Romantic Lead 9-2fav (11-12) Slow jump 1st, always behind, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Your Busy (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in May.
Battling Boru (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Always prominent, ridden in 2nd entering straight, led over 1f out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Wexford 2m N H flat in Jul beating Quenzo Pierji (12-0) by 4l, 16 ran.
Masdar (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) won at Galway 2m N H flat gf in Jul beating Somethingdifferent (11-3) by 2l, 16 ran.
Littletown Lass (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Made all, driven along 3f out, clear entering straight, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat gf in Sep beating Whats On The Menu (11-7) by 8l, 11 ran.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) Rear of mid-division, no impression entering straight, eased from over 1f out, 16th of 20, 35l behind Our Only Option (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 2f N H flat gf in Apr.
Mississippi River (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Held up in rear, 20th on outer 4f out, 14th early straight, kept on well from over 1f out, nearest at finish, 4th of 25, 13l behind Backspin (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 1f 5yo nhf gd in Apr.
Native Wolf (IRE) Loup Sauvage gelding out of Samadriza.
Sky Pilot (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, progress on outer 2f out, 9th over 1f out, ran on strongly, never nearer, 3rd of 29, 8l behind Shuil Sheeran (11-2) at Navan 2m N H flat sft in Sep.
Abarta (IRE) Aboo Hom gelding out of Wexford Glen.
Mywho 50-1 (11-7) Always behind, 14th of 16, 43l behind Dont Tell The Boys (11-2) at Listowel 2m 4yo nhf gd in Sep.
