mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra
led, headed after 1f and chased leader, ridden 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, progress travelling well in 5th 2f out, ridden and switched left on to rail 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
held up, rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, soon no extra
mid-division, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
soon prominent, led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong
always towards rear, ridden and no extra over 2f out
dwelt and rear, ridden on outer 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out
Saltonstall is top-rated here after easily landing a Limerick handicap on heavy going. However, he has never won when stepping out of handicap company and was beaten almost 4 lengths by Laughifuwant when receiving 3lb in a Curragh handicap. The latter has subsequently been beaten narrowly in Group 3 and Listed company and will make a bold bid. EPONA PLAYS has been making steady progress and her Group 3 victory at Gowran in September points to her chances. She gets the nod as Fiscal Rules, who ran in the Guineas and Derby at the Curragh, only lost his maiden tag at Cork a few weeks ago.
Laughifuwant (IRE) 5-4fav (9-9) Chased leader in 2nd, led 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed over 1f out, kept on well under pressure in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Surrounding (9-4) at Leopardstown 7f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Quizical (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Soon led, pushed along and headed 2f out, ridden and no extra from 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Theophile (8-9) at Leopardstown 1m hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Raise You (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Waited with towards rear, headway towards outer approaching straight travelling smoothly, pushed along under 2f out, briefly impeded 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Amma Grace (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f lst stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Saltonstall 25-1 (10-2) Towards rear, headway on outer entering straight and travelled well to lead under 2f out, soon asserted and 2 lengths clear 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Limerick 1m hcp hvy in Oct beating In From The Cold (8-13) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Spanish Tenor (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, briefly short of room and switched left 4th 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Comfort Line (9-3) at Gowran Park 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Fame And Acclaim (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd final 75 yards, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Keats (9-5) at Cork 1m lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Fiscal Rules (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd under 3f out, soon slightly bumped, no extra and one pace from under 2f out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Helvic Dream (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Flaming Moon (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Broke well, tracked leader, pushed along 2f out and dropped to 6th over 1f out, no extra, 7th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Saltonstall (10-2) at Limerick 1m hcp hvy in Oct.
Harpocrates (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) Held up behind, switched left and headway towards far side over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 7th of 20, 4 3/4l behind King's Lynn (8-9) at Doncaster 7f stks (2) gf in Sep.
Epona Plays (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Chased leader, 6th halfway, progress 2f out, switched left and ridden in 2nd over 1f out, strongly challenged leader under 1f out, led final 100 yards, kept on best, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Sep beating Etneya (9-2) by nk, 13 ran.
Stormy Belle (IRE) 80-1 (9-5) Rear, progress and switched left 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on, joined for 2nd on line, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Parent's Prayer (9-2) at Naas 1m lst fll stks (1) sft in Oct.
One Last Look (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 3rd and ridden 1 1/2f out, weakened under 1f out, 5th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Love (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
