broke well to lead, headed after 1 1/2f, under pressure in 2nd approaching straight, lost place and weakened under 2f out, eased closing stages
towards rear, 5th halfway, ridden over 1f out, no impression, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, progress to lead after 1 1/2f, pressed 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and headed, kept on final furlong, not match winner
towards rear, 6th halfway, progress to 4th and ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression on leaders, kept on final furlong, never nearer
dwelt, raced in rear, slightly detached in 7th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms
settled 3rd, niggled along approaching straight, ridden under 1f out, no impression on leaders, kept on without threatening final 100 yards
raced 4th, headway 2f out, challenged leader 1 1/2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, asserted closing stages
Custom Cut won this for the UK last year when Gordon Lord Byron was fourth, just in front of Tribal Beat, who started favourite. The latter hasn't run since but the former won a Group 2 on his next start and is rarely far away at this level. The unbeaten Zihba has had the form of his two victories at Dundalk boosted and wouldn't be running here unless there was confidence behind him. Brendan Brackan has a tremendous strike-rate and loves the track though connections will be hoping for some more rain as he's best with some ease in the ground. TRUE VALOUR stepped out of maiden company to land a Listed contest at the Curragh though his best run came when beaten narrowly by Suedois in a Group 2 here in September, form that could give him the edge.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 10-3 (9-8) Raced in 4th early, soon 3rd, pushed along 2f out, challenged between horses and on terms over 1f out, soon headed and switched right inside inside final furlong, kept on without quite getting there for 2nd, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind On The Go Again (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 2l behind Brando (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Pincheck (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Led briefly early, soon raced in 2nd, on terms after halfway, led before straight, strongly pressed and joined over 1f out, soon headed and one pace, 5th of 7, 7 1/4l behind On The Go Again (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Tennessee Wildcat (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Rear of mid-division on outer, ridden entering straight, no impression, 9th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Goldrush (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Tribal Beat (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-12) Settled 4th, pushed along under 3f out, no impression under 2f out, dropped to 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 6, 5l behind Custom Cut (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
True Valour (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Raced centre in touch, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Limato (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Zihba (IRE) 2-9fav (9-7) Held up 3rd, progress to 2nd over 3f out, ridden and strongly challenged leader over 1f out, led narrowly under 1f out, kept on well, asserted close home, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Mar beating Irish Minister (9-2) by 2l, 5 ran.
