tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th over 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
led, pushed along approaching straight, under pressure and kept on over 1f out, headed over 150 yards out, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and no impression in 6th 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home
held up rear, travelled well and progress under 2f out, led over 150 yards out, kept on well
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and dropped to rear 1f out, no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight and no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra
Plinth won four times over hurdles last year and kept very good company at times. But he's only won a maiden on the Flat and has never been successful on ground this quick. The going may also be too fast for Hazariban but he has a better strike-rate on the level than the top weight. Benkei has been raised a massive 10lb for winning over 1m5f at Navan and HURRICANE RIDGE (NAP) looks better treated. Only beaten a length when third at Leopardstown, Jessica Harrington's stayer is just a pound higher and is suited by a sound surface as he showed when successful over a shorter trip at the Curragh in September.
Plinth (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway into mid-division 12f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, never reached leaders and weakened final furlong, 10th of 19, 13l behind Domination (9-7) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun '14.
Hurricane Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led after 1f, ridden and challenged 3f out, narrowly headed 2 1/2f out, kept on under pressure, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Sang Tiger (8-9) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gf.
Hazariban (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Chased clear leader, 7th halfway, closer approaching straight and went 3rd 2f out, ridden and no impression 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Face Value (8-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp sft in May.
He's Our Man (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Soon disputed lead, dropped to 6th approaching halfway, soon pushed along, one pace in moderate 5th from over 1f out,, 5th of 7, 17l behind Togoville (11-9) at Laytown 7f amt stk in Sep.
Viaduct Joey (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden 3f out, no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 10l behind Water Sprite (8-6) at Killarney 1m 3f hcp 50-80 sft in May.
Hallbeck 14-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Benkei (9-4) at Navan 1m 5f hcp gf in May.
Benkei (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, 5th early, progress into 2nd after 4f, challenged 4f out, led 3f out, soon pushed along, clear over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Navan 1m 5f hcp gf in May beating Esharaat (8-8) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
