broke well to lead, headed after 1f, dropped to 4th halfway, 3rd 2f out, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
rear, ran freely and closed before halfway, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed under 1f out, kept on, not match winner closing stages
mid-division, progress to lead after 1f, headed and ridden over 1f out, dropped to 3rd under 1f out, no extra
tracked leader, settled 5th halfway, pushed along and closed over 1f out, travelled well, led under 1f out, driven out closing stages
towards rear, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong to 5th close home, no danger
mid-division, progress to 3rd halfway, 4th 2f out, dropped to 5th and ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, lost 5th close home
towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden in 7th over 2f out, no headway, never a factor
RIVEN LIGHT (NAP) was having his first start since a Group 1 at Caulfield in October when landing a premier handicap at Galway in July and a line should be drawn under his only subsequent run in Korea last month. Flavius won a maiden here a year ago and was making a belated reappearance when beaten a short-head at Tipperary in August so should be primed for this. Joe Murphy has won this twice in the past five years and Insignia Of Rank deserves his place in the line-up. A shock winner at Tipperary a fortnight ago, he was hit with a 12lb penalty but then won just as easily at Limerick six days later. Any easing of the ground would be in his favour and he can get into contention. Flight Risk is a regular at this sort of level though is tackling a new trip but Success Days has raced in better company and would have to be considered on last year's Group 2 victory at York. North Face was elevated into Listed company at Cork after his maiden victory at Navan and was staying on behind the smart Ship Of Dreams so has to be respected.
Zorion 7-2 (9-10) Broke well, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along on outer and some headway 2f out, soon ridden, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Ship Of Dreams (8-13) at Cork 1m lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Flight Risk (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) In rear, under pressure into straight and headway on inner, on terms 1 1/2f out, soon gained narrow lead, joined inside final furlong, headed and kept on without matching front pair in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Yulong Gold Fairy (9-0) at Tipperary 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Success Days (IRE) 11-4 (9-6) Soon close up and disputed lead, headed inside final furlong, no extra and slightly impeded near finish, 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Beautiful Morning (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Flavius (USA) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, pushed along under 2f out and led early final furlong, ridden and kept on, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, shd behind Tennessee Wildcat (9-8) at Tipperary 1m 1f Good - Yielding in Aug.
Insignia Of Rank (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, headway on outer travelling well entering straight, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, soon asserted and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Oct beating Shatharaat (8-13) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
North Face (IRE) 2-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight and no impression over 2f out, ridden over 1f out and kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Ship Of Dreams (8-13) at Cork 1m lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Hand On Heart (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Slightly slow into stride, towards rear and 13th from halfway, ridden from 3f out, no impression from 2f out and soon eased, 12th of 15, dist behind Panstarr (9-4) at Listowel 1m 1f lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Riven Light (IRE) (9-0) 14th of 15, dist behind London Town (9-0) at Seoul 1m 1f pol in Sep.
Still Standing (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Soon raced in 2nd, challenged over 2f out, soon came close with rival and gained narrow lead, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well to hold on at the finish, won at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp gd in Sep beating Arthurian Fame (8-9) by nk, 11 ran.
