chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closer 4f out, soon challenged, ridden and no extra over 2f out
chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, closer 4f out, ridden in 8th 3f out, soon no impression
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, weakened straight, eased over 1f out, tailed off
held up in rear, progress into 6th 3f out, wide entering straight, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
led, headed after 2f, soon moderate 2nd, closed 4f out, led and pressed 3 1/2f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, closer 4f out, soon 4th, challenged 2f out, soon ridden to lead, strongly pressed 1f out, headed close home
held up towards rear, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace
chased leaders, led after 2f, soon clear, reduced advantage 4f out, headed 3 1/2f out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, progress into 5th 3f out, travelled well in 4th 1 1/2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, kept on final furlong and led close home
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 4f out, soon 3rd, ridden to challenge 2f out, close 2nd 1f out, no extra in 3rd closing stage of final furlong
Many of these would prefer to be jumping hurdles especially THOUSAND STARS, who has had a magnificent career with a dozen victories to his credit, almost all on testing ground. He's always had plenty of pace and can give Katie Walsh a successful ride. Sarah O'Brien won the race a year ago and takes the mount on Henry's Girl this time. She was placed in a couple of bumpers and showed her liking for soft going when scoring over 1m3f at Wexford last month. Nina Carberry gets the ride on Prussian Eagle, who has been performing with credit at the highest level over timber including when placed in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown. First In The Queue has an excellent strike-rate of 9-49 and ran well in a handicap here last month. He won't mind the conditions and it would be no surprise to see him gain victory number 10.
Akiliyna (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 3f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, under pressure in 5th entering straight, no extra 1f out, 8th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Benkei (9-8) at Galway 2m hcp Yielding in Jul.
Jan Van Eyck (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division early and headway on outer to tracked leaders before halfway, slight mistake 4 out and soon pushed along, no extra from next and weakened, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Noble Inn (10-12) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn gd in Sep.
Talsara (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Rear of mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon no impression, never a factor, 9th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Hes Our Music (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Henry's Girl (IRE) 7-2fav (9-11) Held up in rear, effort on inner under 3f out when checked, ridden and progress into 5th on outer 2f out, went close 3rd 1f out, led under 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, all out close home, won at Wexford 1m 3f mdn sft in Jul beating Kennady (10-2) by hd, 10 ran.
Minot Street (CAN) 20-1 (10-1) Towards rear, last halfway, pushed along under 5f out, no impression straight, soon eased, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind My Twinkle (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Thousand Stars (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, progress into 12th after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace run-in, 6th of 20, 13 1/4l behind Quick Jack (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
First In The Queue (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 6 3/4l behind Wood Breizh (9-10) at Tipperary 1m 6f hcp gf in Jul.
Prospectorous (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, closer order halfway, 4th and under pressure 3f out, no impression 2f out, soon no extra, last of 12, 12 3/4l behind Tooreen Legend (11-0) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
The Panhandler (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Askmour (9-12) at Wexford 1m 3f hcp sft in Jul.
Prussian Eagle (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, pushed along 3rd and trailing under pressure halfway, some modest progress from 2 out, never a factor, 6th of 10, 24 1/2l behind Petite Parisienne (10-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in May.
Ri An Domhnaigh (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Slightly impeded early, tracked leaders, closer order 4f out, raced towards outer straight, one pace 1 1/2f out, 9th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Hurricane Sky (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gf in Jun.