held up, 7th halfway, progress in 5th 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to press leaders 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up in rear, ridden into 6th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led and disputed, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd last strides
prominent early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and switched right over 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
soon disputed on rail, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra
held up in mid-division, towards rear halfway, ridden to progress 1 1/2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong into 2nd last strides
mid-division, ridden on outer 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong
Jim Bolger won this last year and the ultra-consistent FLIGHT RISK can follow suit after only just failing to concede 28lb to Jassaar in a premier handicap at the Curragh. He had Texas Rock, who was receiving 12lb, a couple of lengths behind and should have no problems with that one but Yulong Gold Fairy beat him narrowly in a Group 3 at Tipperary in October. Dermot Weld's filly was receiving 5lb that day so the positions can be reversed on today's terms. Royal Hunt Cup winner Settle For Bay had a couple of runs at Fairyhouse without showing much and was well beaten behind Surrounding at Naas last month. He should strip fitter here and the winner would prefer quicker ground. Hand On Heart, who will enjoy the conditions, hasn't been beaten far in two Group 3's this campaign and has more scope than most of these so looks a threat.
Flight Risk (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong, pressed leader close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Jassaar (8-6) at Curragh 7f hcp gf in May.
Quizical (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Soon led, joined from 3f out, headed from 2f out, no extra final furlong, 15th of 27, 10 3/4l behind Red Tea (9-11) at Curragh 1m hcp Yielding in May.
Settle For Bay (FR) 7-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, 5th halfway, no impression 1 1/2f out, dropped to rear 1f out, weakened, last of 8, 9l behind Surrounding (9-9) at Naas 7f lst stks (1) gf in May.
Texas Rock (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leader, disputed 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Jassaar (8-6) at Curragh 7f hcp gf in May.
Surrounding (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) In touch on inner, stumbled after 1f, 4th halfway, travelled well and closed 2f out, ridden and strongly challenged leader final furlong, led final 150 yards, kept on best under pressure, won at Naas 7f lst stks (1) gf in May beating Chessman (9-11) by nk, 8 ran.
Yulong Gold Fairy 9-1 (9-0) Towards rear, moderate 5th halfway, pushed along and closer over 2f out, 6th over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Beshaayir (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 2 fll stks (1) gf in May.
Annie Fior (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd entering straight, slightly hampered in 4th and switched left under 2f out, dropped to 5th and ridden over 1f out, one paced final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Black Magic Woman (8-8) at Gowran Park 7f hcp fll gd in Jun.
Hand On Heart (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, effort from 2f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Happen (8-11) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in May.
Shekiba (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Broke well, tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 7, 5 1/4l behind Beshaayir (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 2 fll stks (1) gf in May.
