prominent, pushed along over 2f out, soon on terms, narrowly led 1f out, pressed and stayed on well inside final furlong
a little keen, soon tracked leaders on outer, closed travelling smoothly straight, pushed along 2f out, on terms from 1 1/2f out, soon narrowly headed, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon switched left and not much room, stayed on well without reaching front pair inside final furlong
pushed along briefly early to lead, pushed along again 2 1/2f out, joined 2f out, narrowly headed from 1 1/2f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
a little keen, soon chased leaders between horses, pushed along on outer over 2f out, soon slightly bumped, no extra and one pace final furlong
Luke Short has been raised 11lb after winning a rated race at Leopardstown and Darkened is upped 7lb for landing a handicap at Galway. Killarney winner Raphael can do better back over this shorter trip while Frank Arthur faces an easier task than at the Curragh last time. The latter’s stablemate Whoareyouanyway ended last year with a victory at Dundalk but is 7lb higher on his reappearance and ROCKET SCIENCE (NAP) has the most scope having won a maiden at Galway three weeks ago and making a handicap debut
Rocket Science (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Disputed briefly, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to progress 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, soon led, kept on well final furlong, won at Galway 7f mdn Yielding in Jul beating Teed Up (9-7) by 3l, 12 ran.
Mean Fomhair (IRE) 2-1fav (9-6) Raced in 5th early, soon prominent, effort straight, lost position from over 1f out, soon no extra, last of 13, 9 1/4l behind Sonaiyla (9-6) at Leopardstown 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Blyton 50-1 (8-4) Slightly bumped with rival away from stalls and pushed along briefly, raced far side group, 10th halfway, bumped with rival 1 1/2f out, no extra when squeezed for room inside final furlong, 21st of 24, 13 1/4l behind Buffer Zone (9-6) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Darkened (IRE) 9-4fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, closer in 2nd over 1f out, challenged 1f out and soon led, edged left inside final furlong, kept on well under pressure, won at Galway 7f hcp sft in Aug beating The Mpex Kid (10-2) by nk, 14 ran.
Talking Tough (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) In touch, 3rd over 3f out, ridden 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Next In Line (9-9) at Galway 1m hcp sft in Aug.
Dedillon (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Mid-division on inner, 6th 2f out, ridden and no impression when edged right over 1f out, edged left under 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Luke Short (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m gd in Jul.
Luke Short 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, travelling well in 3rd 2f out, switched right over 1f out, 2nd and ridden to challenge 1f out, soon led, ridden and kept on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m gd in Jul beating Zofar Zogood (9-6) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran.
Raphael (GER) 50-1 (8-13) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3f out, last of 13, 20 3/4l behind Rayounpour (9-2) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Frank Arthur (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Soon led, ridden and joined under 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Flaming Moon (9-0) at Curragh 1m hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Beckwith Place (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Dwelt, soon mid-division on inner, took keen hold, headway into 4th and ridden 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, no impression, 5th of 14, 5 3/4l behind Lord Rapscallion (10-2) at Bellewstown 1m hcp Yielding in Jul.
Ocean Monarch (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden over 2f out and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra, last of 7, 8 1/4l behind Fame And Acclaim (9-11) at Cork 1m gd in Jul.
Whoareyouanyway (IRE) 11-10fav (10-2) Slowly away, towards rear, headway on inner under 2f out, 3rd and switched right over 1f out, pushed along to lead 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec beating Laurel Grove (9-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lincoln (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression from 2f out, no extra, 10th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Darkened (9-9) at Galway 7f hcp sft in Aug.
