soon tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead after 5th, jumped well, driven out after last, readily
held up 5th, dropped to 8th at 8th, ridden in 7th after 4 out, no impression in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace
led, mistake at 5th, soon headed, dropped to 3rd and driven before 2 out, no impression on leaders, pecked at last, soon dropped to 4th, ridden and kept on same pace
soon raced in rear, 6th at 3rd, progress to 4th after 5th, 5th at 8th, dropped to 8th and driven after 4 out, weakened, tailed off
soon raced 4th, dropped to 7th at 3rd, 5th before 3 out, weakened to 7th and jumped left 3 out, no extra, tailed off
in rear, 8th at 3rd, 6th after 8th, bad mistake at 10th and dropped to rear, headway to 4th before 2 out, no impression on leaders, 3rd run-in, ridden and kept on same pace
rear, improved to 3rd at 3rd, 6th after 5th, progress to 3rd at 8th, headway to 2nd before 2 out, jumped left at last, soon ridden, not trouble winner
prominent, pecked at 1st, soon raced 3rd, 4th at 3rd, 3rd after 5th, 4th at 8th, driven before 3 out, dropped to 6th and ridden 2 out, weakened, tailed off
A Decent Excuse was a surprise winner of this last year and is on the same mark though he arrived in winning form which isn't the case this time. BALLYCASEY hasn't won since November 2014 but he's been contesting many of the major handicaps and came right back to form when a close third in the Galway Plate. He's been raised 5lb but looks the one to beat. Elegant Statesman has won four times over fences, all at around this trip. He's crept up the weights but should get into the frame. Beau Et Sublime is a promising young chaser though he's 6lb out of the handicap while the consistent Draycott Place doesn't win often enough. Rightville Boy won easily when last seen in April and any easing of the going would be in his favour.
Ballycasey (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Prominent, on terms 3rd, led after 5th, strongly pressed straight, headed closing stages, soon dropped to 3rd and one pace, 3rd of 22, 2 1/2l behind Lord Scoundrel (10-7) at Galway 2m 7f hcp (1) Yielding in Jul.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Soon mid-division, some headway from before 8th, slight mistake 3 out, no extra from next, 14th of 22, 32 3/4l behind Lord Scoundrel (10-7) at Galway 2m 7f hcp (1) Yielding in Jul.
Draycott Place (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Soon led, headed after 3rd and chased leader in 2nd, improved to dispute after 3 out, ridden before last, headed and no extra run-in, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Heist (10-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Tangolan (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 12l behind Presented (10-3) at Perth 3m hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Cavite Beta (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leader and close up, challenged 2 out, ridden in 2nd after last, no impression in 3rd entering straight, 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, just held for 3rd close home, 4th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Devils Bride (11-10) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
A Decent Excuse (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 3rd after 4th, 4th after 11th, ridden after 2 out, unseated rider at last, at Tramore 2m 6f hcp gd in Aug.
Rightville Boy (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Settled 3rd, progress to 2nd at 6th, jumped left 4 out, almost on terms 3 out, travelled well to lead approaching straight, jumped left at last, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 1f hcp hvy in Apr beating Malt Gem (10-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
Beau Et Sublime (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Soon prominent, slight mistake 3 out, challenged and on terms straight, led 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Heron Heights (11-7) at Limerick 2m 3f gd in Jul.
Elegant Statesman (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Mid-division, 6th halfway, progress in 4th 3 out, soon challenged, disputed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, just prevailed at line, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun beating Shantou Flyer (11-2) by ns, 10 ran.
Duckweed (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Towards rear, progress to 8th at 7th, 7th after 9th, no impression in 5th after 2 out, soon ridden, no extra, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 24 1/2l behind Tulsa Jack (9-12) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jul.
Padraig's Joy (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, no extra before straight, 13th of 18, 35 1/2l behind Fiddlers Bow (11-2) at Cork 2m 3f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
