Pythion won well in a handicap over C&D last month but there could be plenty of unexposed dangers lurking in this line up and TOM MCGREEVY would be one. Lizzie Doyle’s maiden hurdle winner has hit the frame in his last four starts over timber and the switch to the larger obstacles could be the making of him. Brown Monday has to be respected from the in-form Shark Hanlon stable but has had a little experience of racing on decent ground. Cottie romped home in a Mares’ hurdle at Clonmel in May though Rachael Blackmore keeps the faith with stablemate Freddie Rodbal as he attempts to get off the mark at the eighth time of asking.
Pythion (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Disputed early, tracked leaders from 2nd, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, pressed leader after 3 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, stayed on to challenge 2 out, soon led, kept on well from before last, won at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Jul beating Jack Holiday (11-7) by 6l, 14 ran.
Cottie (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up, ridden into 5th after 3 out, no extra before straight, moderate 6th when fell last, at Wexford 2m sft in Jul.
Elegant Lass (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear approaching 3 out, no extra, 9th of 11, dist behind Zoffanien (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Freddie Robdal (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway into 4th 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd and no impression on leaders at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 16 1/4l behind Amir Kabir (11-12) at Roscommon 1m 7f mdn gd in Jul.
Mandarin Monarch (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 19, 15 3/4l behind Scenic Look (9-9) at Galway 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Tom McGreevy (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Disputed after 1st, led after 2nd, ran freely early, slight mistakes 4th and 3 out, joined 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Dartington (11-6) at Tramore 2m Good - Yielding in Jul.
Name Me Famous (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Led narrowly, headed after 1st, 3rd before 5th, improved to lead narrowly approaching straight, headed before 3 out, dropped to 4th before 2 out, no extra in 5th before last, 5th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Little Big Rocky (11-0) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Nibiru (IRE) 9-2fav (10-2) Held up towards rear, progress before 2 out, ridden into 8th entering straight, kept on one pace from last, 5th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Sit Down Lucy (11-0) at Galway 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
So Scottish (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd 5 out and lost place next, soon pushed along and no extra after 3 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Robyndeglory (11-1) at Wexford 3m hcp gd in May.
Brown Monday (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, improved to 3rd halfway, led 4 out, pushed along and pressed 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no impression on winner after last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Homme D'Un Soir (11-12) at Roscommon 2m sft in Aug.
Masterstonemason (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 10th of 16, 26 3/4l behind Tullypole Annie (10-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
