held up towards rear, slight mistake 4th, ridden in moderate 7th and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace
soon led and disputed, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on from last, not reach winner
held up in mid-division, ridden in 6th and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division early, towards rear halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression
mid-division, progress in 5th 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace from before last
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened
held up, towards rear for most, never a factor
disputed briefly, soon tracked leader and close up at times, slight mistake 2nd, improved to dispute and slight mistake 4 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, ridden into 2nd entering straight, led approaching 2 out where not fluent, asserted before last, steadied last, kept on well run-in
held up, towards rear halfway, no extra before 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression 2 out, under pressure in 3rd and slight mistake last, no extra run-in
Sole Pretender beat Darasso two lengths in this a year ago and arrives having won his first two starts over fences. The latter's yard saddles five of the 11 entries and last year's Galway Plate winner Early Doors is another returning to hurdles after a fair run in the Irish National. Willie Mullins has two entries with the lightly-raced and progressive Shewearsitwell receiving the mares' allowance but SAINT ROI's last victory came at this level here in October 2020 and his seven subsequent runs have been in Grade 1 races, four of them when taking on Honeysuckle. He'll appreciate the drop in grade and can return to winning ways.
Darasso (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, 5th halfway, ridden before 2 out, no impression in 4th last, kept on run-in to go 3rd last strides, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Sole Pretender (IRE) 2-9fav (11-7) Made most, not fluent at 1st, joined entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed 3 out, regained narrow lead after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Roscommon 2m gd in Jun beating Ferdia (11-2) by 3l, 5 ran.
A Wave Of The Sea (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Never fluent, hit 5th, always towards rear, 9th of 16, 31 1/2l behind Global Citizen (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Early Doors (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 13th entering straight, 8th and ridden before last, kept on well run-in, 5th of 27, 7 1/2l behind Lord Lariat (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Felix Desjy (FR) 11-1 (11-4) In touch, 5th before 5th, 4th after 4 out, 5th 2 out, soon clipped heels and unseated rider, won at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr beating Farout (11-3) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Francois (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 3 out, closer in 4th entering straight, ridden to lead approaching last, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Punchestown 2m 4f gd in May beating Wolf Prince (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Lunar Display (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, 5th after 5th, effort before last where not fluent, ridden and kept on run-in to 4th on line, never nearer, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Anna Bunina (11-0) at Killarney 2m 1f lst (1) gd in May.
Saint Roi (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led, 6-length advantage early, reduced lead after 4th, mistake 5th, ridden and pressed after 2 out, headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, lost 3rd last strides, 4th of 6, 7 1/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Santa Rossa (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Towards rear, 9th after 5th, headway before 4 out, 4th approaching straight, closed 3 out, dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression run-in, dropped to 5th on line, 5th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Anna Bunina (11-0) at Killarney 2m 1f lst (1) gd in May.
Celestial Horizon (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Soon in touch, 7th after 5th, headway approaching straight, led before 3 out, jumped left 2 out, soon asserted and ridden, ran on well, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in May beating Rich Belief (10-10) by 7l, 16 ran.
Shewearsitwell (IRE) 2-7fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway between horses to challenge 2 out, edged left and led last, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 4f gd in May beating Off You Go (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
