chased leaders in 3rd early, lost position over 5f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, towards rear, went moderate 5th over 3f out, moderate 4th under 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 5th early, closer in 2nd travelling smoothly over 3f out, eased into lead 1f out, stayed on well, very easily
dwelt, soon chased leaders, no impression over 3f out in 4th, 3rd approaching straight, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 4th early, pushed along approaching halfway, lost position and no impression over 4f out, one pace
held up, soon towards rear, never a factor
soon chased leader, led over 3f out, quickly pressed, headed 1f out, one pace and no chance with winner
led and went on, reduced lead halfway, headed over 3f out, weakened straight
dwelt, slightly impeded early, towards rear, pushed along briefly approaching halfway, soon headway and pushed along again, 5th 4f out and no impression, moderate 6th over 3f out, weakened straight
Willie Mullins won this with a long odds-on chance last year and it will be a surprise if EXCHANGE RATE doesn't follow suit. A bumper, Flat and hurdles winner in just six starts, his close second to Brazos at Killarney last time could be given a boost by the winner in the previous race. Backsheesh was a very easy winner of a Tramore bumper before well beaten in a 1m6f Gowran maiden on her Flat debut though the fast ground may have been responsible for the poor effort. Geoffrey's Girl, who won a couple of races on testing ground in France, hasn't shown much for current connections and none of the remainder make appeal.
Balaclava (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Always towards rear and pushed along from early, no impression in 17th from 3f out, last of 18, dist behind Dixie Highway (8-7) at Tipperary 1m 4f hcp sft in May.
Bobeska (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Dwelt, held up, raced on outer, no extra straight, 20th of 22, dist behind Rockabill (11-0) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Exchange Rate (GER) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, some headway 2f out and ridden in 3rd over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, hd behind Brazos (9-3) at Killarney 1m 6f hcp gd in Aug.
First To Boogie (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outer, 5th halfway, no extra after 4 out and detached next, weakened, pulled up before last, at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Midnight Lightning (IRE) 66-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, weakened, 9th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Bid Adieu (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Nov.
Rainbow Pride (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Mid-division on inner, ran freely, slight mistake 5th, weakened and dropped to rear before 9th, pulled up before 10th, at Cork 3m mdn hvy in Jan.
Backsheesh (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, effort on inner straight and every chance, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Days Without End (9-7) at Gowran Park 1m 6f mdn gf in Sep.
Geoffrey's Girl (FR) 33-1 (9-12) Led, joined halfway, ridden and headed 6f out, weakened, 18th of 19, dist behind Great Trango (9-9) at Galway 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Aug.
Streak 20-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, weakened from next, behind when hampered 2 out, eased, 12th of 16, dist behind Ingleby Mackenzie (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Jun.
