led, ridden straight and headed 2f out, under pressure and kept on one pace over 1f out, no extra inside final 150 yards
ran 3rd, pushed along and no impression entering straight, closer and ridden 2f out, 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner final 100 yards
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along and no impression entering straight, progress outer 2f out and ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
Aidan O'Brien won this with an odds-on chance last year and HALLMARK looks certain to start a short price after his very easy victory at Leopardstown. He has no more entries but should go on from this and will surely be seen in much better company later. Pincode is a worthy opponent after completing a double at Tramore on Saturday and he's progressing at a rate of knots while Nebulla found 7f much too short on his reappearance at the Curragh and can do better. Buyer Beware wants rain and though Highly Toxic has performed in higher grade he disappointed last time and has a stiff task conceding weight to his younger rivals.
Highly Toxic (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Led, pushed along approaching straight and headed 2f out, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, no extra, 5th of 6, 14 1/4l behind Dark Crusader (9-0) at Galway 1m 6f sft in Jul.
Buyer Beware (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Pushed along early, soon tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along again into straight, switched right under 3f out, lost place and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace,, 6th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Vitally Important (10-0) at Killarney 1m Yielding in Jul.
Hallmark (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd after 3f, travelled well to lead 2f out, asserted 1 1/2f out, kept on well, very easily, won at Leopardstown 1m 5f mdn gf in Aug beating Kennady (10-3) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Nebulla 6-1fav (10-0) Towards rear, soon 9th, pushed along from halfway, no impression 2f out, soon no extra, 9th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Have A Nice Day (9-11) at Curragh 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Pincode (IRE) 6-4fav (9-5) Soon disputed, led after 2f, ridden and strongly pressed 2 1/2f out, disputed 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure in narrow lead inside final furlong, won at Bellewstown 1m 4f mdn gf in Jul beating Sikandar (9-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.