chased leaders in 3rd early, took keen hold, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, soon weakened
chased leader in 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd entering straight, moderate 3rd 1f out, no impression and dropped to 4th close home
slowly away and trailing in last, no impression from 4f out, never a factor
held up behind leaders, dropped to 6th halfway, progress into 4th 4f out, ridden in moderate 4th over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, not trouble winner final furlong
held up in 6th early, took keen hold, headway on outer into 4th halfway, pushed along in moderate 5th 2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, went 3rd close home
pushed along early and led, made all, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
chased leaders in 4th, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened from 4f out
Dual bumper winner MOUNTAIN ROCK was only just beaten by an in-form rival over hurdles at Down Royal last month so should go well and may just have too much pace for Sandymount Duke. The latter has won his last two starts over fences, both over 2m4f, and looks certain to give another good account. Batchelors Walk finished a very good third over timber at Bellewstown last week though that was over three miles and he's another who may be tapped for pace. The remainder look to have plenty to find.
Batchelors Walk (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) In rear, mistake 4th, headway into moderate 8th 3 out, soon ridden, went 4th next, 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 2l behind The Rite Article (11-0) at Bellewstown 3m hcp gd in Jul.
Boston Oscar (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Rear, 13th halfway, 12th under 5f out, pushed along to 9th 2 1/2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, 7th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Miss Mardan (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f mdn Yielding - Soft in Jun.
Hidden Diamond (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, improved to chase leaders 5f out, soon pushed along, weakened over 3f out, soon eased, last of 17, dist behind Eight And Bob (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gf in Jun.
Mountain Rock (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd before 2 out, stayed on in 2nd before last, pressed winner run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Knockmaole Boy (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn gd in Jun.
Phar Island (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway approaching straight, no impression when impeded 2 out, not fluent last, one pace, 5th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Sir Jack Yeats (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp sft in Jun.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Led, ridden and strongly pressed before 2 out, headed 2 out, stayed on to challenge again last, rallied to narrow lead run-in, all out close home, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun beating Net D'ecosse (9-10) by hd, 9 ran.
High Honcho 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place under 3f out, no extra, eased over 1f out, last of 12, 35 1/2l behind Sandstorming (11-5) at Bellewstown 1m 4f gd in Jul.
