tracked leaders, 4th halfway, close up 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and soon dropped to rear, weakened
led, strongly pressed and headed 2 out, soon ridden, rallied strongly run-in to lead on line
in rear, never a factor, pushed along and no extra in 7th entering straight
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 2 out, under pressure and kept on run-in, headed on line
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 5th 3 out, ridden and not fluent last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, 3rd entering straight, ridden after 2 out and kept on one pace run-in
towards rear, 7th halfway, closer after 4 out, 6th on outer entering straight and pecked 2 out, ridden and no impression last, kept on one pace run-in
No favourite has won this in the last 16 years but RUPERT LAMB and Draco should be vying for market leadership and it's the former who can come out on top. Willie Mullins' charge had his rival over three lengths behind in a strong handicap at Killarney last month and, though the revised weights give the runner-up a chance, he won with some authority and is still very well handicapped compared to his chase rating. Dollar And A Dream is a rapidly improving type who was an impressive winner at the Galway Festival when coming from way off the pace. He's 8lb higher but it will be a surprise if he doesn't get competitive. His trainer also runs The Plan Man but he was well behind the selection at Killarney and it's yet another from the yard Whatsforuwontgobyu, who added to his victory over hurdles in May with a very impressive performance on the Flat at Galway, who is probably the main threat.
Draco 9-2fav (11-6) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th next, 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Rupert Lamb (10-11) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Aug.
Whatsforuwontgobyu (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Soon mid-division, 8th early, pushed along briefly and headway over 4f out, moderate 3rd 2f out and pushed along, soon chased leader, closed and led inside final furlong, soon asserted, comfortably, won at Galway 1m 6f hcp sft in Aug beating Easter Spirit (8-10) by 8 1/2l, 16 ran.
Misty Lady (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, kept on one pace, 11th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Alveena (9-0) at Galway 1m 4f mdn Yielding in Sep.
West Montan (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd after 5th, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 5th before 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Cassells Rock (11-2) at Down Royal 2m Good - Yielding in Aug.
Lilly The Lioness (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th after 3 out, no extra and slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Afatcat (9-13) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Sep.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Soon prominent in chasing group, pushed along from 4 out, no extra from next,, 9th of 14, 34 1/4l behind Enjoy Responsibly (10-6) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
The Nutcracker (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) 4th early, soon raced in 3rd, a little keen, no impression from before last where slight mistake, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Whiteout (11-3) at Bellewstown 2m 1f sft in Aug.
Dollar And A Dream (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Towards rear, headway appoaching 2 out and squeezed for room, closed to chase leaders last, edged right and led from 100yds out, stayed on well to soon draw clear, won at Galway 2m hcp sft in Aug beating Afatcat (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
The Plan Man (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, effort on inner when short of room and checked after 4 out, ridden 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 11, 13 3/4l behind Rupert Lamb (10-11) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Aug.
Rupert Lamb 8-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, bad mistake 3rd, good headway before 3 out, improved to lead 2 out and ridden clear, stayed on well from last, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Aug beating Draco (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
