raced in rear, went 6th from halfway, 5th from 3 out and ridden after next, no extra in 4th before last and kept on same pace run-in
led, dropped to 2nd before 2nd, improved to dispute lead 4 out, not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along and headed, ridden and weakened to 5th before last, no extra and dropped to rear run-in
towards rear, a bit closer in 5th halfway, went 4th from 3 out and not fluent next, pushed along and went 3rd before last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along from 4 out and ridden after next, good progress to lead after 2 out and went 3 lengths clear before last, kept on well run-in
mid-division and not fluent 3rd, dropped to rear from halfway, pushed along from 4 out, not fluent next where left 6th and soon no extra, kept on into moderate 5th run-in
mid-division, not fluent 6th, 4th halfway, lost place and dropped to 6th when fell 3 out
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 2nd, joined 4 out, headed after 2 out and soon pushed along, no extra run-in and kept on same pace
STRATUM was only seventh when attempting to repeat last year’s success in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot last month but he wasn’t beaten far at Galway eight days ago and should have too much class for these despite having a first run over hurdles since November. Paul Townend prefers the 10-year-old to Cork winner Winter Fog, though Kieran Callaghan’s claim will aid the cause of the latter. A Grade 2 winner over timber, Fury Road is better known as a chaser nowadays but can’t be ignored though Jack Kennedy switches to the stable’s Gevrey. Ronald Pump hasn’t won for a very long time and is starting to look a light of former days.
Winter Fog (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Raced in 5th, took closer order from 4 out and led before next where jumped badly right, jumped badly right 2 out, pressed before last, ridden run-in and asserted close home, won at Cork 3m Yielding in Jul beating Gallant John Joe (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Fury Road (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and some headway in mid-division after 3 out, no impression next and no extra early run-in, eased, completely tailed off, 19th of 22, dist behind Ash Tree Meadow (10-4) at Galway 2m 7f hcp (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
Gevrey (FR) 28-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, headway after halfway and went 4th after 6 out, 3rd 4 out, pushed along and progress to lead approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, headed closing stages, 2nd of 27, 1l behind I Am Maximus (11-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
Macgiloney (IRE) 14-1 (12-3) Towards rear, pushed along on outer from 3 out, ridden and no impression in 8th after next, kept on into moderate 6th run-in, 6th of 9, 15l behind Dartan (11-11) at Bellewstown 3m hcp gd in Jul.
Ronald Pump 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, progress after 3rd, 5th 2 out, soon headway, no impression on leaders in 3rd approaching straight, lost place and weakened, 9th of 16, 33 1/4l behind Desert Heather (10-6) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp Yielding in May.
Sams Profile 22-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, moderate 6th halfway, moderate 5th 5 out, pushed along and no impression before 3 out, no extra, 6th of 8, dist behind Classic Getaway (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Stratum 9-4 (9-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, led under 3f out, pushed along and strongly pressed 2f out, soon ridden, headed and disputed 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd near line, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Shanroe (9-9) at Galway 1m 6f Yielding in Aug.
