mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, progress into 6th entering straight, no impression in 5th approaching last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight and progress into 3rd before last, 2nd run-in and kept on under pressure
in rear, some progress approaching straight, went 6th at last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, weakened 3 out, eased and pulled up before next
mid-division, 10th halfway, no extra and dropped to rear 3 out, eased
rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, no impression approaching 2 out
towards rear, never a factor, no extra approaching 2 out
towards rear, never a factor, some progress early straight and 10th at last, kept on run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 8th entering straight, no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd entering straight and challenged last, soon led, ridden and kept on run-in
mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, ridden and no extra after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out and mistake last
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 out and no impression in 4th before last, rider lost whip run-in, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home
led, headed after 4 out, ridden and dropped to 6th 2 out, no impression when mistake last, no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead after 4 out, pushed along and slight mistake 2 out, challenged and blundered last, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra
Mick Hourigan and Jessica Harrington have good records in this tough contest and are well represented. False Economy and Run With The Wind go for the former and both arrive having run here on Sunday. The latter is well handicapped at his best and could go well at a big price. The consistent Macnicholson represents the Harrington yard and the lightly-raced and progressive five-year-old has to be on the shortlist under Barry Geraghty. PIRES is one of the sport's most versatile performers which he emphasised by scoring over hurdles at Down Royal after a close second in a tough handicap over fences at Galway. He's well handicapped over timber and should give supporters a good run for their money. Several of these are very closely matched on collateral form including Xsquared, Casimir Road, He's Our Man and Portrade while it's worth noting that no favourite has won this in the last 15 years.
The Game Changer (IRE) Evensfav (10-13) Soon raced in 4th, went 2nd 6 out, no impression before last, kept on run-in and closed on winner without ever threatening to get there close home, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Darwins Fox (11-2) at Cork 2m 2f hdl gd in Aug.
False Economy (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up, 6th halfway, progress into 4th after 3 out, ridden in 5th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th last, 4th of 8, 10l behind Lord Ben (11-5) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp chs gd.
Macnicholson (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Raced 3rd, soon 4th, pushed along in 5th after 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 4l behind The Game Changer (11-5) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Xsquared (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out into mid-division, stayed on well from 2 out, 5th at last, kept on well for 4th, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 2l behind The Game Changer (11-5) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Princeton Plains (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression from 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Starkie (11-12) at Cork 2m beg chs in Apr.
Run With The Wind (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th when fell 6 out, in a race won by Lord Ben (11-5) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp chs gd, 8 ran.
Pires 7-4fav (10-11) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 5th, good headway into 5th on outer 2 out, ridden in 2nd at last, led inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Down Royal 2m hdl 0-123 gf in Aug beating Theatre Mill (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Passage Vendome (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Ran 4th, mistake at 1st, soon 3rd, 4th entering straight, ridden and weakened after 3 out, no extra 2 out, eased after last, last of 15, 27l behind The Game Changer (11-5) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Casimir Road (IRE) 7-2fav (9-13) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, close up from 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on well from before last, strongly pressed closing stages run-in and headed close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Xsquared (10-4) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Jul.
He's Our Man (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, checked on inner on bend before next, ridden and went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Pires (10-11) at Down Royal 2m hdl 0-123 gf in Aug.
Portrade (IRE) 5-1fav (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, on terms 2 out, soon led, pushed along before straight, pressed at last, headed and no extra run-in, one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Noah Webster (11-3) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd.
Pivot Bridge 5-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place from 3 out, no impression and switched left straight, moderate 10th before last, kept on without threatening, 5th of 18, 10l behind Desertmore Stream (11-1) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Jun.
Fourni (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Soon raced in 3rd, 2nd at 3rd, a little awkward 4 out, soon closer order, dropped to 4th before 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 6, 24l behind Little King Robin (11-8) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hdl gd in Aug.
Bashful Beauty (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, closer order travelling smoothly after 3 out, 4th and not fluent next, no impression last, one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Noah Webster (11-3) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd.
Hurricane Jojo (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Led, 3 lengths clear after 4 out, ridden and reduced advantage after 2 out, headed at last, ran on, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind The Game Changer (11-5) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Smiler (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Ran freely and led after 1st, headed after 4 out and soon no impression on easy winner, moderate 3rd after 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Orgilgo Bay (11-6) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gd in Jul.
