led and made most, joined from 3rd to 4th and again entering straight, hit 2 out, led before last where awkwardly jumped left, kept on best to assert run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed from 3rd to 4th, joined issue again entering straight, headed after 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner run-in
settled in 3rd, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace
BULLOCK HARBOUR edged out Rattan over a slightly longer trip at Killarney last month. Willie Mullins' charge is 3lb better off here so should technically turn the tables but Jessica Harrington's hat-trick-seeker is improving at a rate of knots and may be able to confirm the form. Tavern Times scored over this trip at Galway but gives the impression he would appreciate a return to 2m and could be vulnerable if there is a strong pace here. Original Option is back over hurdles after winning over fences at Killarney last month but, along with Safari Sunup, has a lot to find to overturn earlier running with the selection.
Original Option (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Prominent, mistake 6th, moderate 2nd from 4 out, closed to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, soon led and went on from before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 4f beg chs gs in Aug beating Derinlaur (11-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
Bullock Harbour (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, strongly pressed last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Killarney 2m 6f nh nov hdl gs in Aug beating Rattan (11-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rattan (USA) 7-2 (11-7) Slightly impeded 2nd, soon raced in 3rd, not fluent 5th, ridden to challenge in 2nd and every chance last, kept on well without quite matching winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Bullock Harbour (11-4) at Killarney 2m 6f nh nov hdl gs in Aug.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th approaching 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Alderwood (11-5) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Aug.
Tavern Times (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, mainly moderate 3rd, some slightly awkward jumps, closed 5 out, led from 2 out, clear before straight, reduced lead last, ridden out to assert run-in, won at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd in Jul beating Endless Intrigue (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Breathalyser (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and lost place after 4 out, kept on one pace from before 2 out, 6th of 26, 11l behind Trendelenburg (11-7) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 in Mar.