tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead briefly and not fluent 2 out, headed and ridden, not fluent and disputed lead at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, pushed along in 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th next, no impression
tracked leaders, jumped left throughout, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
towards rear, headway into 4th 3 out, improved to lead travelling well after 2 out, ridden approaching last, mistake at last and joined, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
led, jumped left throughout and raced on wide outer from 4th, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, 4th before last, no impression
towards rear, headway into 5th before 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in
soon towards rear, no impression from 4 out never a factor
A competitive heat in which KURAKA is the choice as he's been performed with credit on the level the last twice, having shown himself a hurdler of useful ability when eased down to score with plenty in hand at Limerick in the spring. Conron and Amschel have similar profiles and are preferred in that order while Uncle Henry is an interesting recruit, having won on the level for the O'Brien team. However, the main threat to the selection may come from Room To Roam who has shown more than useful form in three hurdling starts, notably when a Leopardstown runner-up to Mr Adjudicator who went on to land a Grade 1 next time up. He ties in closely with Kuraka on that Leopardstown running and there should be little between them now, although the former may just have a fitness edge.
Amschel 5-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn gd in May beating Smitty Bacall (11-12) by 2l, 15 ran.
Conron (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, disputed before 2 out where slight mistake, led after 2 out, soon pushed along, headed and slight mistake last, no extra in 2nd entering straight, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Lucky Icon (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m gd in May.
Kuraka 5-2fav (10-0) Mid-division early, soon tracked leaders, on terms over 5f out, led before straight, pressed from 2f out, soon joined and headed, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Hurricane Sky (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in Jun.
Chin'up (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outer and 8th from 5 out, no impression from 2 out and kept on same pace run-in, 8th of 18, 11 1/4l behind Gold Seal (11-7) at Roscommon 2m mdn gd in Jun.
Room To Roam (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd and pushed along 2 out, ridden in 3rd at last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Mastermind (10-12) at Naas 2m hvy in Feb.
Saga Altais (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led early, headed from 1st and settled behind leaders, not fluent 3rd, 6th from 5 out, lost place from 2 out and no impression from last, 10th of 18, 13 1/4l behind Gold Seal (11-7) at Roscommon 2m mdn gd in Jun.
Uncle Henry (IRE) 7-4fav (9-10) Mid-division, 5th behind clear leader halfway, under pressure and lost place approaching straight, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Lucent Dream (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Annie Iraya (IRE) Masterofthehorse filly out of Day Is Dawning.
