chased leader, improved to lead from 4f out, attempted to assert under pressure approaching straight, joined over 1f out, soon narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner
towards rear, progress into moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on
led and clear, reduced lead 5f out, headed 4f out, hit rail when weakening soon after
towards rear throughout, no impression from over 5f out
mid-division, progress under 4f out, soon slightly hampered, ridden to chase leaders before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
always towards rear
never better than mid-division
chased leaders until pulled up quickly over 6f out, dismounted
chased leaders, closer in 4th 5f out, lost place and no impression from 3f out
soon chased leaders, closed into 3rd under 4f out, ,soon 2nd, dropped to 3rd again before straight, soon no impression
chased leaders, dropped to moderate 12th and no impression from before straight
soon mid-division, closer in 7th under 4f out, ridden in moderate 6th before straight, soon no impression
chased leaders, closer in 5th under 4f out, dropped to moderate 8th before straight, soon no impression
prominent in chasing group, closed into 2nd under 4f out, dropped to moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden into moderate 10th before straight, kept on without threatening final furlong
mid-division, ridden in moderate 9th before straight, kept on without threatening final furlong
chased leaders, improved to go 2nd approaching straight, challenged and on terms over 1f out, soon gained narrow lead and stayed on best
rear of mid-division, progress into moderate 11th before straight, soon no impression and kept on
towards rear for most, never a factor
mid-division, closer in 7th 5f out, no extra 3f out
Amazingly for such a competitive event, Dermot Weld has won the last three runnings and this time relies on the four-year-old SUBLIME TALENT, who demonstrated his well-being and resolution with a battling performance over a trip much too short at the Curragh last time. He was entered in the opening hurdle event but this looks within his capabilities from a fair mark. Charles O'Brien has acquired The Last Don from the UK and stamina is certainly not an issue for a horse who has won four of his last five, though the latest of them was in September. Cyborg is 5lbs higher than when beating Paramount a short-head at Bellewstown and this is much tougher and a bigger threat may emerge in the shape of Otterstown Lady, who has been in superb form over timber recently and will be suited by the soft conditions. Another with a real chance is Galianna, who could hardly have been more impressive at Clonmel in May though connections won't be pleased with a 13lbs rise.
Mount Helicon 6-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, poor 3rd from 1 mile out, ridden from 4f out, closed and challenged in 2nd from over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 9, hd behind Alpine Eagle (9-7) at Killarney 1m 6f stks gf.
Eagle's Pass (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Soon mid-division, travelling well in 6th 4f out, 4th from 3f out, dropped to 7th and no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 9l behind Celtic Dane (9-5) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp fm in Jun.
Spinning Wings (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Led, soon clear, 15 lengths lead halfway, reduced advantage approaching straight, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 7, 6l behind Profound Beauty (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd.
The Last Don (IRE) 11-10fav (9-7) Raced wide, close up, tracked leader 8f out, soon pushed along, joined leader 5f out, led 4f out, ridden clear over 2f out, eased final furlong, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep beating Fin Vin De Leu (8-13) by 7l, 4 ran.
Ballyhaunis 12-1 (9-3) 5th of 15, 9l behind Bay Willow (8-4) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Bashkirov 125-1 (9-0) Raced wide, always in rear, 8th of 9, 25l behind Fame And Glory (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Otterstown Lady (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 24th of 29, 36l behind Dani California (8-0) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Sep.
P'tit Fute (FR) 9-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to 2nd 5f out, ridden and challenged entering straight, no extra in 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 19, 2 1/2l behind Solwhit (8-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Nov '08.
Fantoche (BRZ) 9-2 (9-7) Soon raced in poor 2nd, ridden from 4f out, no impression 2f out, soon no extra in 4th, 4th of 9, 13l behind Alpine Eagle (9-7) at Killarney 1m 6f stks gf.
Galianna (IRE) 7-2fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, smooth headway into 2nd approaching straight, led over 2f out, stretched clear from over 1f out, very easily, won at Clonmel 2m hcp 60-90 gd in May beating Admiral Barry (8-7) by 10l, 13 ran.
Dreamy Gent (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f Amateur Maiden Stakes (4yo+) gf beating Island Oscar (11-0) by 5l, 18 ran.
Cyborg 9-10fav (10-9) Mid-division, 8th halfway, headway in 6th and stumbled 4f out, improved to challenge in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on final furlong, strongly pressed close home and all out, won at Bellewstown 1m 6f Amateur Handicap (60-90) (4yo+) gf beating Paramount (10-11) by shd, 10 ran.
Sublime Talent (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 50-85 gd beating Boxer Beat (8-10) by nk, 18 ran.
Cloone Rocket (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Attempted to make all, soon clear, reduced advantage from halfway, ridden and extended lead to 3 lengths early straight, strongly pressed from 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Directa King (10-9) at Limerick 2m stks gd in Jun.
Lucky At Last (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway to 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge entering straight, stayed on to lead last 150 yards, kept on well, won at Galway 1m 6f stks sft in Oct beating Torphichen (11-1) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Star Wood (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led briefly halfway, 2nd 6f out, challenged 3f out, ridden to dispute over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Cyborg (10-9) at Bellewstown 1m 6f Amateur Handicap (60-90) (4yo+) gf.
Admiral Barry (IRE) 7-1 (8-4) Mid-division, closed to track leaders before straight, challenged under pressure and on terms over 1f out, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, shd behind Fisher Bridge (8-11) at Curragh 2m hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.
Zarinava (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Mon Champion (9-11) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp 60-100 gd.
Keep It Cool (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Reared leaving stalls and towards rear, ridden in 6th 3f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 22l behind Profound Beauty (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Alajan (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Held up in rear, 7th approaching straight, some headway 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Fictional Account (10-0) at Dundalk 2m 1f hcp pol.
Slievecorragh (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden in close 2nd 1f out, no extra final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 3l behind Celtic Soprano (9-1) at Listowel 2m hcp 50-80 in Sep.
Career Move (IRE) 17-2 (10-13) Dwelt, held up towards rear, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out, last of 9, 38l behind Fingers (11-4) at Killarney 2m 1f am stks (4yo+) sft in Aug.
Impersonator 33-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, went 4th early straight, no extra in 3rd from well over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Directa King (10-9) at Limerick 2m stks gd in Jun.
