chased leaders and took keen hold, ridden and no extra from 2f out
raced 2nd, ridden 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra
in rear, no impression from 3f out
held up in 5th, headway and ridden from 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home
held up in touch, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden entering straight, strongly pressed final furlong, headed and no extra close home
DIPLOMAT is the only three-year-old in the field but can take care of his elders. Dermot Weld's colt was making his handicap debut at Galway a week ago and, though finding a mile on the short side, got up in the closing stages to beat Our Conor a nose. With the longer trip in his favour and that experience under his belt he can complete a quick double from just 6lb higher. Cheval Rouge takes a huge step up in trip after finishing third over 7f at Galway on Sunday but Headford Lady could find it on the short side despite a fair effort over the trip behind Sindjara at Down Royal. Leroy Parker, Gra Geal Mo Chroi and Walter De La Mare are all winners over the C&D while the remaining pair can't be dismissed in what looks a wide-open handicap.
Long Journey Home (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, no extra in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 7l behind I Have A Dream (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Diplomat (USA) 4-1 (8-13) Held up early, 6th halfway, pushed along in close 3rd entering straight, soon ridden, 3rd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead on line, won at Galway 1m hcp 60-95 3yo gd beating Our Conor (8-10) by ns, 8 ran.
Headford Lady (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway in 6th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong to 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sindjara (9-7) at Down Royal 1m 2f fll hcp gs in Jul.
Cheval Rouge (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th entering straight, kept on final furlong, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Fit The Cove (8-8) at Galway 7f hcp 50-75 sft.
Leroy Parker (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th and no extra 2f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 20, 32l behind Voleuse De Coeurs (8-11) at Galway 2m hcp 55-80 sft in Jul.
Irish Reel (IRE) 14-1 (7-13) Led and disputed, led 4f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Sindjara (9-7) at Down Royal 1m 2f fll hcp gs in Jul.
Gra Geal Mo Chroi (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) Waited with towards rear, no impression under pressure from 2f out, 8th of 9, 15l behind Jazz Girl (9-8) at Killarney 1m 3f fll hcp in Jul.
Walter De La Mare (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, weakened from 2f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Inis Meain (8-11) at Killarney 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 in Jul.
