soon disputed lead, brushed off rail after 3f, headed and dropped to 2nd after 6f, regained lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened and no extra from over 1f out
prominent early before settling behind leaders, pushed along to dispute lead over 2f out and soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, took closer order from 3f out and ridden to dispute lead over 2f out, headed from 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
raced towards rear and 6th from halfway, took closer order on outer from 3f out and ridden to challenge from 2f out and soon disputed lead, led from 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong
slowly into stride and raced in rear, 6th from 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, no impression in 5th from 1f out and kept on into moderate 4th inside final furlong
soon disputed lead, improved to lead after 6f, headed over 3f out, soon pushed along and weakened, no extra from 2f out
mid-division, weakened to rear from over 3f out, ridden and no impression from over 2f out
WICKLOW BRAVE is on a long losing run which is disappointing for such a talented individual. He looked to have an obvious chance in a Grade 3 hurdle at Tipperary earlier this month but fluffed his lines but his overall form, which includes Grade 1 victories over timber and just failing to concede Rekindling a stone in a Group 2 at the Curragh, puts him in the driving seat here. Ivanovich Gorbatov was a long way behind the selection in that recent run over timber at Tipperary and it's a long time since he won the Triumph Hurdle, his last victory. Daybreak Boy was beaten a long way in the Ascot Stakes and it's difficult to see him having the pace to beat the selection, especially conceding weight, while Peregrine Run, though in superb form over fences, will probably find the trip on the short side in this ground.
Daybreak Boy (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, 16th of 19, 20 3/4l behind Lagostovegas (9-3) at Ascot 2m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun.
Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Always rear, never a factor, detached before 4 out, no extra after 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Joey Sasa (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Jul.
Le Vagabond (FR) 20-1 (9-10) Raced in 6th early, soon 5th, tight for room 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 11 1/4l behind Sea The Lion (9-12) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Wicklow Brave 5-4fav (11-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead briefly entering straight, not fluent and headed 2 out, under pressure and no impression on winner last, switched right run-in and kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Joey Sasa (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Jul.
Peregrine Run (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, not always fluent, struggling 12th, mistake 14th, behind when hampered and unseated rider 4 out, at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Rock On Bach (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division best, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp hvy in Feb.
Santa Anita 20-1 (11-0) In rear, detached after 4f, took closer order 4f out, under pressure and detached 3f out, no impression in moderate 4th over 1f out, one paced, never a factor, 4th of 5, 18 3/4l behind Batts Rock (11-0) at Bellewstown 1m 4f gf in Jul.
