settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leader, led halfway, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, soon no extra and weakened entering straight
led, headed halfway, regained led 2 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, headed final 50 yards
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, soon keen hold into mid-division, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear early, 10th halfway, ridden into 6th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 3f out, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, ran on well final furlong to lead last 50 yards
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out
soon chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 7th and no extra 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden in 11th entering straight, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out
always towards rear
mid-division early, 12th halfway, no extra over 2f out
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
Custom Cut is the obvious starting point here having won his last four races in tremendous style. However, all have come on very testing ground and with an incredible 12lb rise for his latest success the winning run may come to an end. Bold Thady Quill also arrives in fine form and was caught in the shadow of the post by Potomac over 1m1f at Gowran so this slightly shorter trip is in his favour. The lightly-raced dual Polytrack winner Honourable Emperor ran a very promising race on his Turf debut at Cork back in April and arrives here fresh and on a fair mark but UK raider Pintura has shown improved form at Chester on his last three starts and will find this undulating track very different. ROCK CRITIC has won handicaps at the last two Festivals and though 9lb higher than a year ago he's had a light campaign subsequently and looks to have been laid out for another victory. He wasn't given a hard time in the Royal Hunt Cup on his latest start and is handed the vote to concede weight all round.
Rock Critic (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 18th of 30, 10l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-3) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Moran Gra (USA) 6-1 (9-7) Prominent and disputed lead, driven along from early straight, led narrowly under pressure inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Dundalk 1m 4yo stk pol in Mar beating Banna Boirche (9-5) by hd, 6 ran.
Pintura 4-1fav (9-11) Soon led, ridden clear over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on, headed post, 2nd of 13, ns behind Imperial Djay (9-9) at Chester 1m hcp 105 (2) sft in Jun.
Custom Cut (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Made all, ridden to assert 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Curragh 7f hcp hvy beating Miracle Cure (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Spa's Dancer (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Bumped slightly start, prominent, took keen hold, challenged over 2f out, ridden and edged left well over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Trade Commissioner (9-6) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gs.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) Held up in 6th, progress entering straight, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, shd behind Potomac (9-1) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp hvy.
Vastonea (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Took keen hold in rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden in 7th over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Back Burner (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp sft.
Honourable Emperor (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway on inner to go 3rd early straight, ridden to go 2nd 1 1/2f out but no impression on easy winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Sunset Beauty (8-10) at Cork 1m 2f hcp gf in Apr.
Seanie (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division racing keenly, some headway on outer after halfway, 7th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 6l behind An Saighdiur (7-13) at Curragh 6f hcp sft in Jun.
Castle Bar Sling (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, some headway on outer in straight to go 6th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong without troubling winner, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Back Burner (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp sft.
Regulation (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Croi An Or (9-4) at Killarney 1m stks.
Muck 'N' Brass (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Raced in 2nd, led travelling well 2f out, soon ridden, 1 1/2 length advantage when ran out through rail and unseated rider 1f out, in a race won by Suehail (8-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol, 14 ran.
One Fine Day (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden in 8th halfway, no threat from over 2f out, weakened, 14th of 15, 36l behind Rock On Ciara (8-8) at Curragh 7f fll hcp sft in Jun.
Miracle Cure (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Settled in 5th, headway to challenge 2f out and led well over 1f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 6, hd behind Man Of Erin (8-13) at Naas 1m hcp.
Billyford (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 2f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind One Spirit (9-6) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Royal Blue Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2f out, last of 9, 7l behind Fire Lily (9-2) at Leopardstown 6f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft in Jun.
