settled towards rear, 7th approaching straight, no threat from 2f out
mid-division, went 4th early straight, headway to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
always behind
tracked leaders on inner in 3rd, pushed along early straight, no extra and dropped to 5th inside final furlong
led, strongly pressed entering straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra and weakened
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
settled in mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, 6th and not clear run briefly 2f out, went 4th 1f out, kept on into 3rd final furlong without threatening leaders
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge early straight, led 1 1/2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear on outer, no threat and kept on one pace from over 1f out
The veteran Hard Rock City loves this track and landed this a year ago under Johnny Murtagh. However, he hasn't run since landing a handicap over the C&D in September and could just need the outing. Bay Knight will appreciate the recent rain though he may be better over 6f but Qadar ran well behind Inwood here earlier this month and must be respected. The three-year-old Big Bad Billy Bob is still a maiden but has a chance at the weights with his young rider claiming though the nod goes to SOLID AIR, whose last success was on the beach at Laytown in September but who has produced two fine efforts over a mile recently and will be better suited by this trip.
Hard Rock City (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway 1 1/2f out, ridden into 9th 1f out, ran on well final furlong to lead last strides, won at Leopardstown 7f hcap in Sep beating The Tooth Fairy (8-1) by nk, 18 ran.
Bay Knight (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride and held up, 6th into straight, headway on outer 2f out, 4th over 1f out, led briefly under 1f out, 2nd and kept on last 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dotada (9-0) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp 60-90 gf.
Benwilt Breeze (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Prominent on outer to halfway, no extra from 2f out, weakened, last of 11, 18l behind Collingwood (8-4) at Navan 6f hcap gf in Jun.
Qadar (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on, headed last 50 yards and no extra, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Inwood (9-7) at Leopardstown 7f hcp 50-75 gf.
Doorock (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Disputed early, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 3f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 9l behind Polly Ella (9-2) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-60 gf.
Like Magic (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway in 5th 2f out, ridden and no extra over 1f out, weakened, 10th of 11, 9l behind Spirit Of Xaar (9-2) at Fairyhouse 7f hcp 60-90 gf in Jun.
Arcadian Dream (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Chased leaders on stands' side, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 9th of 25, 11l behind Invincible Ash (9-3) at Curragh 6f hcp gf in Jun.
Big Bad Billy Bob (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Led, headed halfway, regained lead entering straight, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra and weakened, 7th of 9, 8l behind Money Trader (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.
Invincible Vibes (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Mid-division on outer, no extra from 2f out, eased when beaten inside final furlong, 9th of 10, 13l behind Empirico (9-12) at Dundalk 5f hcp 50-80 pol.
Solid Air 4-1 (9-0) Chased leader, led after 1f, ridden and challenged 2f out, kept on, narrowly headed 1f out, soon disputed, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Napa Starr (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m hcp 60-90 gf.
King Of Tory (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, 8th of 10, 3l behind Desert Romance (9-2) at Naas 1m hcp 60-90 gf in Jun.
