led, ridden and pressed 2f out, joined 1 1/2f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra in 3rd close home
slightly hampered leaving stalls and rear, closer in 4th over 2f out, ridden 1f out, no impression final furlong, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, ran freely early, 3rd halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden to dispute 1f out, kept on and pressed leaded inside final furlong, held close home
went right from stalls, chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge under 2f out, disputed 1 1/2f out, narrow lead final 150 yards, kept on well under pressure
held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in rear over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Texas Rock hasn't won since a Listed contest in 2017 and needs some respite from the handicapper though he didn't run badly in a premier handicap won by Veryhoyen at the Curragh over the weekend. Leagan Gaeilge also ran at the fixture, leading for a long way over this trip before headed close home. Jim Bolger's three-year-old will take some catching but Major Reward was staying on strongly over 7f at Limerick earlier this month on his first start for Ger Lyons and should get into the mix. The stable also run Excelsius and he was only narrowly beaten when fourth at Ayr last time. KATIYMANN ended a long losing spell when giving Veryhoyen 2lb a beating at Fairyhouse and the subsequent exploits of the winner point to the chances of Michael Halford's charge.
Texas Rock (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Led early on far side, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 19, 4 1/4l behind Verhoyen (8-4) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Katiymann (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Waited with in rear, soon detached, took closer order approaching straight, soon headway on inner travelling smoothly, 2nd over 1 1/2f out, challenged inside final furlong, led over 50yds out, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 7f hcp gd in Jul beating Verhoyen (9-6) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Major Reward (IRE) 11-4fav (9-11) Held up in rear, not clear run early straight, pushed along and some headway between horses over 1f out, 3rd and kept on one pace final 150 yards, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Dragons Call (9-6) at Limerick 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Leagan Gaeilge (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Soon led, pushed along 2f out, ridden 1f out and soon headed, 3rd and no impression when hampered inside final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Waitingfortheday (9-9) at Curragh 1m hcp fll gd in Jul.
Excelcius (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Raced wide held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 1/2l behind Wild Hope (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
