mid-division and 6th 5f out, pushed along from 3f out and soon ridden, progress from 2f out and went 2nd from 1f out, kept on inside final furlong without matching winner
pushed along from stalls and raced in 5th, improved into 3rd from 4f out and went 2nd over 2f out, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
pushed along from stalls and chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 4f out, pushed along over 2f out and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division and 7th 5f out, pushed along over 3f out and soon ridden, went 5th 1f out and soon no extra
led, pushed along and headed 4f out, weakened from 2f out
towards rear, ridden in 7th from 3f out and no impression from over 1f out
chased leaders and 3rd 5f out, pushed along from 2f out and ridden over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along in 4th from 5f out, ridden in 6th 2f out and soon no impression
slow into stride and pushed along from stalls, settled towards rear and ridden in 8th 5f out, dropped to rear over 3f out and kept on well from 2f out, went never nearer 4th close home
Micras won at Bath for Andrew Balding is 2014 and took a handicap hurdle for current connections at Thurles in November. He hasn't run badly in either start since returning from a break and should be a leading player in this. Botany Bay was favourite over 2m at the Curragh last time but only finished fifth. However, he wasn't beaten far and this looks a lot less competitive. Here For The Craic is hard to catch right but has the ability to figure in a race like this but UDOGO (NAP) was hampered twice when only fourth to Arya Tara at the Curragh. That was a better run than the bare results suggests as the winner scored again at Roscommon earlier this week. Notable Graduate was a progressive stayer in 2014 but a two-year absence is off-putting.
Kalann (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Slightly slow 1st, towards rear, no impression 4 out, soon no extra, 5th of 10, dist behind Xsquared (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f gf in Jun.
Botany Bay (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and no impression 2f out, ridden in 5th 1f out and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Papa's Way (8-8) at Curragh 2m hcp Yielding in Jun.
Venezia (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Towards rear, 7th 5f out, pushed along from 4f out, ridden in 7th under 3f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 9, 9 3/4l behind Mandatario (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gf in Jun.
Here For The Craic (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Bit slowly away, soon raced 4th on outer, driven entering straight, ridden in 5th under 2f out, no impression final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Qatari Hunter (9-1) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gd in Jun.
Giant's Quest (AUS) 12-1 (9-4) Towards rear, raced towards outer, pushed along 2f out and no impression, 6th of 7, 17 3/4l behind Benkei (10-0) at Bellewstown 1m 6f hcp sft in Jun.
Notable Graduate (IRE) 7-2fav (11-13) Tracked leaders, 6th 3f out, soon impeded, 7th 2f out, switched left approaching final furlong, 5th 1f out, no impression and kept on inside final furlong,, 4th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Hurricane Ridge (11-3) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Sep.
Udogo 5-1fav (9-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 2nd 3f out, led 2 1/2f out, stayed centre, headed 2f out, no extra in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 6 1/2l behind Arya Tara (8-11) at Curragh 1m 4f Good - Yielding in Jun.
Micras 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, dropped to 5th 5f out and ridden in 7th from 2f out, switched to outer over 1f out and kept on into 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Queen Alphabet (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp fll Yielding in Jun.
Sang Tiger (GER) 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, 5th 5f out, pushed along from 3f out and squeezed for room 2f out, soon ridden in 5th, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 5th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Mandatario (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gf in Jun.
