mid-division, 5th and progress into straight, ridden to challenge in 2nd from over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead near line
soon mid-division, 8th into straight, soon no impression under pressure
chased leaders, 7th into straight, soon no impression under pressure
prominent, wide and led before straight, headed from under 2f out, dropped to 4th and kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, 6th into straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from under 2f out
soon led, headed before straight, back in lead from under 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, stayed on well, headed near line
always towards rear
towards rear, 9th into straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
raced in 4th, dropped to 5th and no impression under pressure from over 1f out, kept on same pace
in rear, ridden in 8th over 1f out, stayed on well into 3rd inside final furlong, not get to 1st 2
led early, prominent, 3rd into straight, no extra from over 1f out
Not much has gone right for Greatwallofchina who began his handicap career off a mark of 109. He's now down to 88 but connections won't be happy with a 4lbs rise for finishing runner-up to Rock Critic at Naas. Pencil Hill has struck form with two very good efforts at the Curragh, the latest being a narrow victory over Bold Thady Quill for which he is raised 5lbs. Foolish Ambition scored at this fixture a year ago and his two runs in the spring came in pattern race company. He's definitely one to keep on the right side but this can go to MISS EZE. Paul Cashman's filly has been in fine shape all summer and though slightly below par behind Smart Striking at Galway last time, after scoring there on her penultimate start she may have been feeling the very fast ground.
Maundy Money 11-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 8th approaching straight, soon ridden and no impression, checked entering final furlong, 14th of 18, 9l behind Hujaylea (8-8) at Leopardstown 7f hcap gf.
Foolish Ambition (GER) 7-1 (8-12) Prominent, 2nd for much, no extra under pressure 1 1/2f out, 5th of 7, 5l behind Free Judgement (9-1) at Curragh 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) in May.
Sixteen Forty Two (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Held up in 6th, ridden in 5th under 2f out, no extra, 5th of 7, 2l behind Priomhbhean (9-2) at Tipperary 1m 1f hcp 60-90 gf in Aug.
Greatwallofchina (USA) 7-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on to 2nd 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rock Critic (9-3) at Naas 1m app hcp 50-85 gd in Aug.
Pencil Hill (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, closed 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, led and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 6f hcap in Aug beating Bold Thady Quill (8-4) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Picture Perfect (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Chased leaders on outer, 8th approaching halfway, no extra from over 2f out, 15th of 25, 10l behind Hujaylea (8-3) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Aug.
Spirit of Xaar (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Slowly away and held up in rear, no impression straight, 8th of 9, 9l behind Finicius (9-13) at Leopardstown 7f hcap gd in Aug.
Daffodil Walk (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Close up and disputed lead, headed from 2f out, soon no extra, 12th of 15, 6l behind Tellelle (9-3) at Curragh 6f flls hcp 0-130 in Aug.
Miss Eze 7-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden into 9th entering straight, 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Smart Striking (8-6) at Galway 7f fll hcp gf in Jul.
Little Arrows (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Held up, kept on under pressure from over 1 1/2f out, 8th of 23, 4l behind Ballivor (8-11) at Curragh 1m hcp 60-100 sft.
Fit The Cove (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra in 3rd entering straight, 5th 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 8l behind Toufan Express (8-11) at Galway 7f hcap gf in Jul.
Gandolfini (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Prominent, 2nd after halfway, ridden and weakened from 1 1/2f out, 9th of 15, 5l behind Good To Follow (8-13) at Curragh 5f hcp.
