bolted and unseated rider on way to post, soon led, headed 2f out, no extra 1f out and eased closing stages
soon tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along to dispute lead 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, soon headed, no extra and dropped to 4th near line
held up, took keen hold early, soon in rear, headway to chase leaders on outer 1f out but no impression, no extra and eased closing stages
soon tracked leaders in 6th, not much room and switched right under 3f out, challenged from 2f out, on terms over 1f out, soon led, stayed on best
soon raced in 7th, not much room briefly early straight, soon pushed along, kept on same pace from over 1f out
disputed lead early, soon raced in 5th, travelling smoothly and challenged from 3f out, pushed along to dispute lead 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace
soon raced in 8th, pushed along over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
disputed lead early, soon raced in 3rd, pushed along to challenge from 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, soon raced in 9th, chased leaders but one pace from over 1f out
dwelt and slightly awkward leaving stalls, towards rear, some headway but not much room under 2f out, soon no impression, kept on
dwelt, soon towards rear in 11th on outer, no impression 2f out, one pace
not much room early, a little keen, soon raced in 10th, switched left early straight, ridden to chase leaders but no impression 1f out, kept on into 3rd near line
prominent, soon 2nd, pushed along early straight, lost place over 2f out, no extra and eased final furlong
Joe Eile will enjoy the conditions and has a course victory to his credit though his regular rider Colin Keane has chosen Angel Of Joy, who has been finding a mile stretching her stamina from this sort of mark recently. She's well handicapped at her best and looks a threat to all. Three Bells will be fancied to complete a hat-trick despite his last two victories coming over a furlong shorter. He has no problems with this trip though he has an 8lb rise to contend with and prefers quicker ground. The more rain the better for My Painter, who should be winning soon when the mud is flying judging by a couple of runs in May, but it's the lightly-raced KATIMAVIK (NAP) who gets the nod. Four of his last five starts have been in better handicaps at the Curragh, including winning there last month and running well in the Cambridgeshire. Wexford Opera has a poor strike-rate but Splashtop ran very well at Galway and will enjoy the conditions more than most.
Greek Canyon (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Soon settled 4th, ridden and weakened under 2f out, 9th 1f out, no extra, 11th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Empress Toorah (9-4) at Roscommon 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Joe Eile (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Prominent, 4th halfway, 2nd 2f out and ridden to challenge 1f out, no impression final 100 yards, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Jamesie (9-4) at Navan 6f gf in Sep.
Five Claw (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden on inner 2f out, switched out and progress 1 1/2f out, 8th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Strait Of Zanzibar (9-4) at Dundalk 7f pol in Sep.
Katimavik (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Towards rear, improved to 9th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, progress to 5th 1f out,weakened final furlong, 9th of 22, 6 1/2l behind Hint of A Tint (9-3) at Curragh 1m hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Wexford Opera (IRE) 11-2fav (9-12) Rear of mid-division, 13th travelling well 3f out, ridden and progress 2f out, went 4th on outer 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 1 1/4l behind Daliyan (9-9) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gd in Sep.
Angel Of Joy (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Plough Boy (9-11) at Killarney 1m hcp gd in Aug.
Splashtop (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th 2f out and no impression 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Best Not Argue (9-1) at Galway 7f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Three Bells (IRE) 6-1fav (9-13) Tracked leaders far side, ridden 2f out and progress to lead 1f out, under pressure and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Navan 6f hcp gf in Sep beating Calm Bay (9-13) by 2 1/4l, 19 ran.
Fast In The Wind (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Settled behind leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra final furlong, last of 8, 5 1/4l behind Togoville (9-9) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Sep.
Lily's Prince (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, driven over 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 9th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Captain Power (9-9) at Curragh 6f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
My Painter (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Dwelt, chased leader, 5th halfway, some progress in 3rd entering straight, pushed along and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Hurricane Twister (8-8) at Listowel 1m hcp hvy in May.
Oor Jock (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Putin (10-7) at Laytown 6f hcp pol in Sep.
Papabili (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Made most, disputed lead early, led halfway, ridden clear 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Laytown 7f mdn pol in Sep beating Tubeanie (9-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
