prominent early and tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden along in 6th approaching straight and no impression from 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden entering straight and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final 100 yards, not reach winner
tracked leaders in 5th, headway approaching straight and ridden to challenge over 1f out, no impression under pressure inside final furlong and dropped to 3rd
raced in 6th and 7th approaching straight, ridden and headway early straight to go 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure
tracked leader in 2nd, headway to dispute 3f out and ridden to lead entering straight, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, held on well closing stages
always rear, pushed along and detached from main group 4f out, no threat in straight and kept on one pace
soon led, strongly pressed and joined approaching straight, headed entering straight and dropped to 4th over 1f out, no extra
settled in 7th, headway on outer after halfway and almost disputing approaching straight, ridden and no impression early straight, no extra in 7th from over 1f out
It's rare to se a Ballydoyle entry near the foot of a handicap so Great Explorer is interesting despite a poor run at Galway, which wasn't his true form. He's taking a massive step-up in trip so is a bit of an unknown. WEATHER WATCH is progressing with every run and could hardly have been more impressive in a handicap over 1m6f here last month. Not surprisingly, he's gone up 17lb in the weights and will find Mourani, who has shot up 8lb for his success at the Curragh, a worthy opponent, but should continue his winning run. Giant's Quest is the one certain stayer in the line-up as he's been in very good form over hurdles and likes fast ground.
Placere (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Soon chased leaders, off the pace, struggling approaching straight, soon no impression, 9th of 14, 19l behind Mourani (8-10) at Curragh 1m 4f app stks gf in Jun.
Weather Watch (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd 4f out, 4th 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, improved to lead 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gf in Jul beating Night Invader (8-4) by 6l, 7 ran.
Mourani (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Soon raced in 3rd and clear of remainder, ridden to lead over 2f out and soon clear, stayed on well, won at Curragh 1m 4f app stks gf in Jun beating King Of The Romans (8-3) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Birzali (FR) 33-1 (9-12) Mid-division, slightly checked 3 1/2f out, ridden in 11th 2f out, 8th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 18, 14l behind Busted Tycoon (9-7) at Galway 2m hcp 55-80 in Jul.
Giant's Quest (AUS) 13-2 (8-11) Soon chased leaders, well off the pace, moderate 5th before straight, moderate 3rd over 2f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 11l behind Captainofthefleet (8-9) at Clonmel 2m hcp 60-90 sft in May.
Cottesloe (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, ridden into 8th 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, just held, 2nd of 16, hd behind Truly Genius (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 47-70 gf in Jun.
Great Explorer (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Close up and led, lost place from 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 14l behind Dark Crusader (9-8) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo hcp 60-90 in Jul.
Head Waiter (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) Towards rear, closer order from over 4f out to soon chase leaders, no impression from 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 5l behind Sabaidee (9-3) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gf in Jul.
