chased leader, 5th halfway, niggled along after 3 out, good headway to close 2 out, ridden and challenged before last, kept on run-in, not match winner
tracked leader in 2nd, closed after 5th, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, ridden and no impression on leaders before last, kept on same pace
in touch, 4th halfway, progress to 3rd on inner 3 out, travelled well between horses to lead before 2 out, pressed before last, kept on well run-in, driven out
rear, 6th halfway, not fluent 4 out, under pressure after 3 out, progress to 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leader, progress to 3rd halfway, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to 6th before 2 out, kept on one pace
led, reduced advantage after 5th, increased advantage to 2 lengths after 3 out, pushed along before home bend, ridden and headed before 2 out, where dropped to 5th, no extra
St Lawrence Gap was in excellent form on the Flat and over hurdles last summer and made a successful reappearance on the level at Limerick so is greatly respected. MY DIRECTION was beaten just over 2l by him at Tramore in August and when receiving 3lb and now gets 14lb with his rider's claim included. He'll be better for his recent comeback and gets the nod. Black Key had been racing over further before reverting to this trip on good going at Listowel where he landed a maiden from Storm Rising, who goes in the opener. His stable companion One In All In landed a Down Royal maiden before running well in novice company at Wexford though will need to find a bit more. Imperial Way has yet to be placed over hurdles though was only just touched off over fences at Clonmel last time.
St Lawrence Gap (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, not clear run and switched out under 3f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Sea The Lion (9-0) at Cork 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Black Key 11-8fav (11-12) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 4 out, pressed next, joined and disputed briefly entering straight, ridden in lead after 2 out, kept on well under pressure from last, won at Listowel 2m mdn gd in Jun beating Storm Rising (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 18 ran.
One In All In (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Soon tracked leaders, 4th after 5th, slight mistake 6th, one pace from before last, finished 3rd, promoted to 2nd, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Exchange Rate (11-4) at Wexford 2m gd in Jun.
My Direction 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, moderate 8th from 3 out, kept on same pace from before next, 7th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Konig Hall (11-4) at Wexford 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Double Speak (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, lost position 7th, soon no impression, no extra from 3 out, last of 14, dist behind Konig Hall (11-4) at Wexford 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Imperial Way (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, disputed after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, 3rd 2 out, stayed on to challenge again last, every chance and disputed run-in, held in 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Venezia (11-12) at Clonmel 2m gd in Jun.
Afatcat 12-1 (11-10) Held up, 12th approaching halfway, closed from before 2 out, soon squeezed for room and no impression, 9th of 16, 31 1/2l behind The Informer (10-9) at Galway 2m 1f hcp sft in Aug.
