pushed along to soon track leaders, almost on terms halfway, under pressure in 3rd 2f out, weakened 1 1/2f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along over 1f out, closed 1f out, kept on same pace, no extra closing stages and dropped to 5th
mid-division, 8th over 3f out, ridden 2f out, good headway and closed over 1f out, progress to lead 1f out, ran on well
rear of mid-division, niggled along in 9th 3f out, bit short of room 1 1/2f out and over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, niggled along after 2f, 10th 3f out, headway on outer 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, kept on to 4th close home, never nearer
mid-division, pushed along in 5th over 3f out, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra over 1f out
prominent, soon led on inner, almost joined halfway, ridden entering straight, headed 1 1/2f out, weakened
rear, 12th 3f out, headway 1 1/2f out, 6th 1f out, soon ridden, kept on strongly to 2nd close home, nearest finish
broke well to lead, soon tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2f out, headway to lead 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd close home
prominent, pushed along and dropped to 6th over 3f out, weakened 2f out
rear, 11th 3f out, progress to 7th under 1f out, ridden and kept on, no danger
rear of mid-division, niggled along in 7th over 3f out, ridden and progress under 2f out, no impression final furlong
Joseph O'Brien has four entries. Facethepuckout was beaten a short-head over slightly further at Cork by Credenza and looks certain to go well while stable companion Arcturus looked happy on the heavy going in a Listowel maiden and further rain would aid his cause. Aidan O'Brien runs a pair. National Guard is stepping up in trip after failing to hold off Eagle Song over 7f at Dundalk but still looks better than Whitsunday Islands, who was a disappointing favourite at Navan on his handicap debut. NIKEANDNEMESIS went up 8lb for a surprise victory at Naas but it made no difference as she romped home by 4l at Navan. She's up another 9lb so this is more difficult but she looks to have every chance of completing a hat-trick. Harvest Bow was 7l behind the selection at Naas but looked much more at home on testing ground at Gowran on Monday and would be a threat if there is further rain.
Facethepuckout (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride and pushed along towards rear, headway on outer into 5th halfway, ridden 2f out and went 2nd 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Credenza (8-11) at Cork 1m hcp gd in Oct.
National Guard (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Prominent, ran freely and led narrowly after 1f, travelled well 2f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed and headed final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Eagle Song (9-3) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Arcturus (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Raced in 7th early, disputed 6th over 2f out, improved to challenge on inner from over 1f out, on terms inside final furlong, led final 100yds, kept on well, won at Listowel 1m mdn hvy in Sep beating Sacchoandvanzetti (9-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Colfer Me (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Rear, 10th halfway, ridden over 1f out, switched right 1f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 12, 3l behind Eagle Song (9-3) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Nikeandnemesis (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Bumped start, waited with, 7th approaching halfway, pushed along and headway and effort on outer into straight, led over 1f out, asserted and stayed on well closing stages, won at Navan 1m hcp gd in Sep beating Ideal Pal (8-6) by 4l, 10 ran.
Whitsunday Islands (FR) 5-2fav (9-6) Prominent early, soon chased leaders and pushed along at stages, 8th approaching halfway, closed and effort straight, wandered slightly, every chance 2f out, no impression when slightly impeded inside final furlong, no extra, 8th of 10, 7l behind Nikeandnemesis (8-8) at Navan 1m hcp gd in Sep.
Royal Canford (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Soon raced in 3rd, lost position and no impression when slightly impeded over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Cardini (9-7) at Curragh 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Harvest Bow (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, challenged 2 1/2f out, disputed 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Elusive Fantasy (8-13) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Cuban Surfer (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division early, soon towards rear, ridden and progress on far side 1 1/2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 3 3/4l behind Harvest Bow (9-0) at Gowran Park 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Ideal Pal (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Chased leader, close up halfway, ridden in 4th 2 1/2f out, lost place 2f out, kept on again inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 4 1/4l behind Harvest Bow (9-0) at Gowran Park 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Manard (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride and soon slightly detached, 10th halfway, under pressure entering straight, no headway, ridden under 1f out, never a factor, 10th of 11, 13l behind Inverleigh (9-5) at Leopardstown 6f mdn gf in Aug.
Ozone (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra, 13th of 16, 10 1/4l behind Harvest Bow (9-0) at Gowran Park 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Isle Of Shadows (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 8th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Harvest Bow (9-0) at Gowran Park 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
