Aidan O'Brien has won the last four of these and is triple-handed this time. Joseph rides Learn and though she disappointed at the Curragh last time her overall form earlier in the season entitles her to finish in front of stablemate Soon, who ran poorly at the Curragh on Sunday. Tenth Star was over four lengths behind Learn at Naas last month but has more scope and wouldn't be a surprise winner while Custom Cut deserves a crack at Listed company after his excellent form in handicaps this summer. ALLA SPERANZA has a bit to find but she's only had five runs to date and was having her first start since May when behind Twirl in a Gowran Listed contest last week. With that under her belt and more to come she's handed the vote. Rock Critic and Sweet Lightning look best of the older brigade but at this stage of the season it's three-year-olds who usually have the call.
Barack (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from under 2f out, 12th of 18, 12l behind Punch Your Weight (8-6) at Curragh 1m hcp sft.
Rock Critic (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 3l behind Vastonea (9-0) at Galway 1m hcp sft in Jul.
Sweet Lightning 12-1 (9-12) Soon mid-division, not clear run from 2f out, got in the clear and stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Punch Your Weight (8-6) at Curragh 1m hcp sft.
Custom Cut (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Chased leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra final furlong, 5th of 13, 7l behind Pintura (9-11) at Galway 7f hcp sft.
Learn (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Towards rear for much, kept on without threatening under pressure from 2f out, 9th of 18, 7l behind Punch Your Weight (8-6) at Curragh 1m hcp sft.
Tenth Star (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Learn (9-6) at Naas 1m stks in Jul.
Alla Speranza 11-2 (9-0) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd for much, no impression under pressure from 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 8l behind Twirl (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 1f fll lst stks (1) gs.
Caprella 14-1 (9-0) Led, headed after 1f, regained lead over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 9th of 11, 8l behind Lady Wingshot (9-0) at Tipperary 7f flls Group 3 stks (3) hvy.
Soon (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Waited with towards rear, plenty to do into straight, closer 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 6th of 7, 11l behind Up (9-0) at Curragh 1m 1f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft.
