tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead entering straight, ridden to lead before last, joined at last, regained lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, all out
prominent, slight mistake 1st, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, weakened
mid-division, closer in 4th 2 out, soon ridden, 4th at last, kept on same pace
towards rear, closer in 6th 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, disputed lead before last, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd close home
led on outer, ridden and joined entering straight, headed before last, 5th at last, no impression
prominent, not fluent at 4th, ridden and dropped to 7th 2 out, weakened
mid-division, pushed along in 8th 2 out, soon ridden, headway into 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd close home, strongly pressed winner to line
towards rear, ridden after 2 out, no impression straight
rear of mid-division, headway 3 out, 5th when bad mistake 2 out, soon ridden, dropped to 6th before last, weakened
always towards rear, mistake 3 out and pushed along, no impression straight, never a factor
NonRunner
YEATS STAR has made great strides over the past few weeks and was impressive in a Downpatrick maiden last month. He is only four and has to concede weight all round on his handicap debut but is taken to do so. El Champo attempts a hat-trick on an 8lb higher mark than at Galway but loves the conditions and is greatly respected. Walhaan has been running well and gained a deserved success at Dundalk a couple of weeks ago while Striking landed a maiden here in June though would not want more rain. Top Speed won a Down Royal maiden in May before a poor effort over fences at Clonmel the following month. Poets Cottage did not jump well on his handicap debut at Cork in May but was not beaten far and should make a bold bid to lose his maiden tag.
Yeats Star (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, soon improved into 2nd, not fluent 2 out, improved to lead before next, ridden and stretched clear run-in, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn sft in Oct beating Talk In The Park (11-12) by 13l, 9 ran.
El Champo (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, 2 lengths clear 2 out and soon pushed along, ridden and kept on well run-in, under pressure and held on closing stages, won at Galway 2m hcp hvy in Oct beating Theonewedreamof (10-6) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Walhaan (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Mid-division, pushed along in moderate 9th entering straight, soon ridden and headway, closer in 3rd over 1f out, challenged under 1f out and led final 150 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov beating Celtic Revival (10-2) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Striking (FR) 9-2 (10-0) Led early, tracked leader and 3rd halfway, pushed along 4f out and dropped towards rear over 2f out, eased over 1f out, last of 12, dist behind Londonofficecallin (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp gd in Jun.
Top Speed (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, jumped big early, 2nd halfway, mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression in 5th 2 out, weakened, 5th of 7, 32 1/4l behind Desert Friend (11-12) at Clonmel 2m gd in Jun.
Ages Of Man (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, 10th after 4th, progress after 2 out, no impression in 7th last, kept on run-in, never on terms, 6th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Wasthatok (11-12) at Kilbeggan 1m 7f mdn Good - Yielding in Apr.
Heliko Conti (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders early, mid-division in 5th halfway, closer 3 out, 3rd before 2 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, soon no extra, 7th of 8, 20 3/4l behind El Champo (11-6) at Galway 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Sonny May (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, disputed before 2 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, no extra from last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 10 1/2l behind Nick Rockett (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn sft in Mar.
Poets Cottage (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 4th approaching straight, improved to dispute when mistake 3 out, headed before next where slight mistake, ridden and no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Conyers Hill (11-10) at Cork 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Catch The Beast (IRE) 200-1 (11-12) In rear, modest headway to 13th before 2 out, no extra, 13th of 22, dist behind Slade Steel (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Derry Lad (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) In rear, pushed along after 3 out, no impression in moderate 8th when fell 2 out, at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
