soon raced 5th, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, headway to 4th 1f out, 3rd final 100 yards, kept on well, nearest finish
slowly into stride, soon raced 3rd, no impression on leaders 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, dropped to 4th final 100 yards, kept on same pace
settled 4th, pushed along under 3f out, pushed along approaching straight, no impression under 2f out, dropped to 5th 1f out, kept on same pace
broke well to lead, 1 1/2 lengths clear 3f out, strongly pressed and ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong
soon held up in rear, detached after 1f, closed up on field after 2f, 5th halfway, no impression in 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace 1f out
tracked leader in 2nd, strongly challenged leader 1 1/2f out, ridden under 1f out, kept on, not match winner
Custom Cut won a Group 2 here in 2015 but that was his last victory and he was around six lengths behind COUGAR MOUNTAIN (NAP) in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket. The winner hasn't really built on that form though he's been competing at a very high level abroad and will relish this drop in class. He was beaten just over a length by Tribal Beat in a Group 3 here in August but was conceding Jim Bolger's charge 7lb and should have his measure this time. Raymonda has only had three runs, scoring at Fairyhouse in June before a poor run in a Group 3 back there a month later, and she has it all to do on the form book.
Cougar Mountain (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Sovereign Debt (9-1) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon dropped to 4th, no impression in last final furlong, last of 5, 3 3/4l behind Diamond Fields (9-4) at Naas 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Apr.
Tribal Beat (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and dropped to rear over 1f out, kept on one pace, last of 7, 5 3/4l behind Awtaad (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Sep.
Custom Cut (IRE) Evensfav (9-2) Raced wide tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Rene Mathis (9-2) at Thirsk 7f stks (3) gf in Apr.
Elleval (IRE) 13-2 (9-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden under 2f out, no impresion inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Roconga (9-2) at Cork 1m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Raymonda (USA) 4-5fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 4th of 6, 9 3/4l behind Queen Catrine (9-8) at Fairyhouse 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
