tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3f out, close 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead on line
tracked leaders, 4th entering straight, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 4th from 1 1/2f out
chased leaders, headway into close 2nd entering straight, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, disputed lead under pressure final furlong, headed and no extra near line
held up in rear, ridden entering straight, no impression and behind from 2f out
always prominent, led 4f out, ridden and joined 2f out, disputed lead under pressure final furlong, kept on well, headed on line
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4f out, behind straight
slowly into stride and in rear, ridden from 4f out, remote 5th 2f out, no impression
led, headed and weakened quickly 4f out, behind straight
Most of these would be better with a few flights of hurdles to jump and Willie Mullins complicates matters by saddling the unbeaten Digeanta, who scrambled home in a similar race at Leopardstown last month, and Midnight Oil, a dual winner on the Flat and over timber. FLAXEN FLARE scored twice for Andrew Balding and Gordon Elliott has done brilliantly with him, sending him to Cheltenham to land the Fred Winter in great style. Whether he'll handle this fast ground is another matter but he's given the vote over Marchese Marconi, whose two victories to date have been on heavy going. Klepht scored over fences at the Punchestown Festival and is unlikely to have the pace for this.
Digeanta (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, challenged under 1f out, edged left on to rail last 100 yards, kept on well close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks gf in Jun beating Cullentry Royal (11-7) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, rider dropped rein 2f out, switched right to challenge approaching 1f out, edged right and driven to lead inside final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct beating Oddysey (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Marchese Marconi (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out to over 1f out, soon lost place, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 19, 10l behind Well Sharp (9-10) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun.
False Economy (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In rear, no impression from 4f out, 12th of 19, 23l behind Midnight Music (11-1) at Galway 2m am hcp 70-100 gd in Jul '12.
Midnight Oil 10-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 10th of 19, 14l behind Well Sharp (9-10) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun.
Sidi Ifni (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 13, well behind Missunited (10-9) at Listowel 1m 6f am stks (4yo+) hvy in Sep.
Klepht (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway into 6th 4 out, ridden into 3rd entering straight, challenged and mistake 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Apr beating Tranquil Sea (10-8) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Strain Of Fame (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Never better than mid-division, 13th of 15, 41l behind Go Native (11-0) at Galway 1m 6f am stks (4yo+) sft in Oct.