prominent, soon raced in 2nd, challenged and led over 1f out, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner final 100yds
tight for room briefly early, soon chased leaders, disputed 5th halfway, effort straight, 6th 1f out and one pace
waited with, 8th halfway, headway and effort straight, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up in touch, 7th halfway, headway and effort straight, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon chased leaders, disputed 5th halfway, soon pushed along, not match leaders from under 2f out, kept on same pace without threatening after
soon led, pressed straight, headed over 1f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong
waited with, soon towards rear, 9th halfway, pushed along on inner straight and headway, close up and challenged from over 2f out, dropped to 7th 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon in rear, pushed along after halfway, kept on same pace straight
chased leaders, 4th halfway, not match leaders from under 2f out, soon no impression
towards rear early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway and effort straight, gained narrow lead final 100yds and stayed on well
AUSSIE VALENTINE displays great enthusiasm at the age of eight and will handle forecast conditions. He arrives on the back of a really good effort under today's apprentice rider when a good third in a Curragh handicap so is preferred to National Guard, who may well have more to come as he makes a return to action. Sky Seven's overall profile gives him a major claim despite a blip last time and both Ideal Pal and Tony The Gent - the latter on debut for the Hogan team - are also noted in an open contest.
Equitant 10-1 (9-11) Broke well, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Port Lions (9-7) at Limerick 7f gd in Jul.
Aussie Valentine (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, soon joined, headed over 100yds out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Solar Wave (9-10) at Curragh 1m hcp sft in Aug.
Come September (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, travelled well into 3rd over 2f out, switched left 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, ran on well final furlong, reduced advantage close home, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f mdn fll gd in Jun beating Angel's Amy (9-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Tony The Gent (IRE) 4-6fav (10-0) Mid-division, 8th on inner 3f out, switched right entering straight, headway and closed 1f out, ridden to lead final 100 yards, kept on best, won at Leopardstown 7f gd in Aug beating Duhallow Noelie (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Zander 7-1 (9-7) Soon rear of mid-division, no impression straight, 10th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Tauran Shaman (9-7) at Galway 1m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Sky Seven (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 3f out, dropped to rear 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened, last of 5, 9 1/4l behind Heliac (9-6) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Aurora Moon (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, no extra approaching straight, last of 12, dist behind Tauran Shaman (9-7) at Galway 1m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Gospel 20-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, well beaten final 2f, 8th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Finoah (9-7) at Haydock 7f hcp (4) hvy in Jun.
Ideal Pal (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, under pressure behind clear leader 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression and dropped to 3rd under 1f out, one paced, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Scorched Earth (8-13) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp sft in Aug.
National Guard (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Led on far side, ridden and pressed 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 5, 9 1/4l behind Woody Creek (8-12) at Cork 6f gf in May.
