chased leader, 3rd halfway, progress to lead briefly approaching straight, no impression in 3rd over 1f out, weakened
held up, 8th halfway, good progress to lead entering straight, ridden and 2 lengths lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
led, 4 lengths clear halfway, ridden and headed approaching straight, no extra well over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
towards rear, 13th halfway, ridden entering straight and briefly short of room in 8th 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, 4th halfway, pushed along entering straight and soon no extra
mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along entering straight and soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden entering straight and no impression over 1f out, no extra
chased leader, 6th halfway, pushed along and no extra in 13th entering straight, weakened
chased leader, 5th halfway, ridden and lost place approaching straight, no extra, weakened
mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along in 7th entering straight and 4th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, progress approaching straight and went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and no impression on winner final furlong, kept on
dwelt, always towards rear, never a factor, no impression entering straight, weakened
mid-division, 12th halfway, ridden approaching straight and 9th outer 2f out, went 4th 150 yards out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, towards rear, 11th halfway, ridden and progress entering straight, went 3rd 150 yards out, kept on one pace
towards rear, pushed along in 12th outer 2f out, 10th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
Only one favourite has won this in 10 years though the winner is generally well supported. Brian Ellison does well with his Irish raiders and York winner Apterix is one to keep an eye on. John Oxx has been staging a revival in recent weeks and Cailini Alainn was always travelling like a winner at Leopardstown last time, though he was behind Shadagann and Fog of War at the Curragh last month. The former is just 4lb higher but it's the latter that could do best of the trio, despite a big weight, as he hasn't had much racing and can make further progress. I'll Be Your Clown looks a threat to all after staying on very strongly to score over 1m2f at Navan but it's difficult to get away from the chances of CLONDAW WARRIOR, despite this looking on the short side. The Ascot Stakes winner had been in fine form over hurdles earlier but had the pace to score over this course and distance last September and his trainer is taking advantage of Jack Kennedy's invaluable 7lb claim. Last year's runner-up Show Court will have been primed to go one better and the veteran Paddy The Celeb has been in very good form lately.
Fog of War 7-1 (9-12) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Shadagann (8-12) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Clondaw Warrior (IRE) 5-1fav (9-0) Held up in last pair, headway on wide outside 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Ascot 2m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun beating Fun Mac (9-7) by 1/2l, 19 ran.
Apterix (FR) 7-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Notarised (8-13) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Cailini Alainn (IRE) 9-2fav (9-13) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and progress straight, led 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in Jul beating Askmour (9-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
I'll Be Your Clown (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) Mid-division, 6th 4f out, ridden over 2f out, improved into 3rd 1f out and kept on strongly inside final furlong to lead near line, won at Navan 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul beating Unsinkable (8-13) by hd, 11 ran.
Artful Artist (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Towards rear, closed 3 out, no impression next, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 13l behind Beautiful Ben (11-1) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Shadagann (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, improved to lead 1f out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well under pressure close home, all out, won at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun beating Salthouse (8-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Paddy The Celeb (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 7th 3f out, 6th and not much room from 2f out, soon switched left, kept on without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Tooreen Legend (11-0) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
Papa's Way (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, pushed along in 6th approaching straight, not fluent 3 out, one pace next, 8th of 17, 17l behind Adimelo (11-12) at Roscommon 2m mdn gd in Jul.
Show Court (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along early straight, no impression in 5th when slight mistake 2 out, 5th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Vent De La Cote (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Golden Spear 3-1fav (8-9) Towards rear, slightly hampered after 2f, some progress into 7th and ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Shadagann (8-12) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Sang Tiger (GER) 7-1 (8-10) Held up in 7th, a little keen, pushed along under 4f out, no impression from over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 9, 22l behind Silwana (9-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in Jun.
Pivot Bridge 16-1 (8-12) Soon chased leaders on outer, 5th 3f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong, 11th of 19, 18 1/2l behind Pyromaniac (9-1) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in May.
He's Our Man (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Raced in rear, took closer order on outer from over 3f out, travelled well in 4th over 2f out, ridden from over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Digeanta (9-2) at Curragh 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Deor (IRE) Evensfav (9-11) Soon towards rear, niggled along early and reminder and pushed along halfway, ridden in 7th 4f out, went 5th and progress 2f out, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Askmour (9-12) at Wexford 1m 3f hcp sft in Jul.
