led, not fluent 2nd, strongly pressed last, headed 1f out, soon no impression and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd and 4th, challenged last, led from 1f out, soon drifted left and stayed on well along stands rail closing stages
held up on inner, slightly impeded 2nd and pushed along briefly, under pressure after 3 out, 7th into straight, no impression when hit last, one pace run-in
always prominent, took keen hold early, pushed along after 2 out, 4th into straight, challenged last, soon every chance, kept on same pace close home
chased leaders, progress to dispute 2nd into straight, kept on same pace under pressure run-in
held up in rear, pushed along after 2 out, 6th into straight, no impression when not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, slightly hampered after 2nd, pushed along after 2 out, 5th into straight, no impression under pressure and kept on without threatening closing stages
held up towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, soon no impression
It should come as no surprise to find that Dermot Weld has won six of the past eleven renewals so even though Manhattan Swing faces a stiff test on his debut he'll have been targeted at this for some time and has a rating of 95 on the Flat. However, this looks stronger than usual and though greatly respected he may have to give best to MORGA. Des McDonagh's filly is rated 1lb higher on the Flat after competing at Group and Listed level and she has the benefit of experience over hurdles, winning both starts at Cork and Punchestown. Erlkonig has done very well for Tony Mullins since arriving from Germany and there's be more to come from him as there will McKinley, who was 12l behind him at Tipperary but has since won at Sligo. Polished Rock had the odds-on The Plan Man behind at Gowran but the latter is 7lb better off though a bigger threat may emerge in the shape of Henry Higgins, who had three runs on ground much too soft earlier this season and has since won a strong handicap on the Flat at Leopardstown.
Erlkonig (GER) 13-8fav (11-7) Made all, slight mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, left clear last, kept on well, won at Tipperary 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Jun beating Cassells Rock (11-7) by 7l, 15 ran.
Mckinley 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leader in close 2nd, disputed lead approaching 2 out, on terms at last, ridden and stayed on well to lead over 100 yards out, won at Sligo 2m 4yo mdn hdl gf beating Idlewild (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Polished Rock (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden next, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 9, 14l behind Shield (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f nh nov hdl gd.
Ridestan (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Soon raced in moderate 3rd, jumped well, closed into 2nd 3 out, led on inner before straight, went clear approaching last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 4yo mdn hdl in May beating Reflet Ambre (11-2) by 8l, 12 ran.
The Plan Man (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Held up in last, closer in 4th 5 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, switched to inner before last, went 2nd at last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Polished Rock (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl gd in Jun.
Manhattan Swing (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leader in 3rd, disputed 3rd halfway, pushed along in 3rd over 3f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, headed inside final furlong, not match winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Edge Of Sanity (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp in May (flat).
Morga (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Soon chased leaders, improved 4 out, soon 2nd, led straight, stayed on well under pressure run-in to hold on at the finish, won at Punchestown 2m mrs nov hdl in May beating Vicky De L'oasis (11-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Annagh Haven (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Led, ridden 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace in 2nd from before last, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Res Ipsa Loquitur (10-13) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f mdn hdl.
Henry Higgins (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight, 5th of 9, 35l behind Abbyssial (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) in Feb.
