prominent early, led from 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no impression on leaders in moderate 4th
tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and joined next, strongly pressed at last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home
led early, slow at 1st and headed next, 2nd at halfway, ridden entering straight, 3rd and mistake 3 out, soon no impression, moderate 5th and mistake at last
tracked leaders on outer, slight mistake 6th, ridden after 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, mistake 7th and briefly pushed along, close 4th and mistake 3 out, improved to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed winner at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, headed close home
held up in touch in rear, ridden 4 out, no impression
held up in touch in rear, improved to dispute 4th 3 out, went 3rd and switched right to challenge after 2 out, ridden and no impression on leaders
Polished Steel won in this grade at Galway to remain unbeaten over fences but meets tougher opposition today. Benruben beat a Willie Mullins-trained favourite at Killarney last month but the latter runs ANDALUSA in this. She’s won her last two outings over fences by a wide-margin and beat a previous winner at Listowel recently with a fluent display of jumping. Play The Game also scored at Listowel on his debut over the larger obstacles and Convara got off the mark over fences with a victory at Galway with Razoul preferred to Stormey of the remainder.
Polished Steel (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Disputed lead early, soon led, mistake 2 out, went on still travelling smoothly from last, ridden out to assert and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Galway 2m 2f (1) sft in Jul beating My Manekineko (11-3) by 9l, 7 ran.
Benruben (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Prominent, challenged from 3 out, gained narrow lead between last 2, pressed and stayed on best run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f Yielding in Aug beating Fan De Blues (12-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Convara (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Made all, wandered slightly before 4th, not fluent 7th, jumped left 8th, jumped slightly left 3 out, jumped left 2 out, went on approaching straight, reduced lead and pressed inside final furlong, stayed on best, won at Galway 2m 2f sft in Jul beating Star Max (12-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Play The Game (IRE) 85-40 (12-0) Made all, a little slow 1st, jumped well after, clear with one other from 5 out, travelling well before 2 out, 2 length lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m 1f gd in Sep beating Pakens Rock (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Razoul (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, ridden from next, moderate 3rd entering straight, soon no impression on leaders, 4th of 18, 7 1/2l behind Gold Speed (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Stormey (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Raced off pace in 4th, moderate 4th at 7th, moderate 5th at 8th, trailing after 3 out, kept on one pace to moderate 5th, never a factor, last of 5, dist behind Mengli Khan (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 3f sft in Sep.
Andalusa (FR) 9-4 (11-2) Chased leader, disputed 2nd, led next, clear from 5th, not challenged after, slight mistake 5 out, not extended, won at Listowel 2m 1f gd in Sep beating Anything Will Do (11-9) by 16l, 5 ran.
