Eoin Doyle has a fine record in this race so Secret Sea isn’t dismissed lightly despite the lack of a recent run over obstacles. Eclair De Beaufeu has fallen massively in the weights since he was at the peak of his powers but VISCHIO (NAP) ran an eyecatching race at Galway on her most recent start and Danny Mullins rates as a positive jockey booking. Downthecellar was beaten on his last two starts over hurdles in 2021 and though the handicapper has put him up 10lb since, he's won off a higher mark over fences in the past.
Merlin Giant (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 2nd, closer halfway, challenged travelling well after 2 out, led before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Galway 2m 1f mdn sft in Jul beating Hubrisko (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
Mr Coldstone (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Towards rear, 8th halfway, ridden and effort 1f out, no impression, weakened final 100 yards, 7th of 11, 9l behind Gibraltar (9-13) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 10th before 5th, headway to 5th after 3 out, no impression in 4th before last, kept on in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 12, 6 1/2l behind Little Big Rocky (11-0) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Play The Game (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Towards rear, some headway after 4 out and 5th entering straight, no extra after 2 out, 7th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Zoffanien (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Whosgotyanow (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Disputed, headed before 2nd and tracked leaders, disputed 6th, headed before 5 out, challenged after 3 out, ridden in 4th before straight, soon no extra and weakened, slight mistake last, 7th of 11, 34 1/4l behind Champagne Gold (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f sft in Jul.
Colenso 28-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, pushed along and no extra after 2 out, 18th of 25, 22 1/2l behind Broomfield Hall (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Ingleby Mackenzie 28-1 (10-1) Mid-division, 6th halfway, dropped towards rear 4 out, soon pushed along and no impression next, no extra in straight, 8th of 10, 31l behind Magic Daze (11-4) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Craic Eile (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Disputed lead early, headed 3rd, led from 7th, ridden and headed entering straight, moderate 9th and mistake 3 out, weakened, 8th of 10, 34 1/2l behind Lady Iseult (10-11) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp gd in Jun.
Vischio (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace from last, 7th of 18, 13l behind Outback Flyer (10-9) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Alex D 66-1 (10-1) Rear of mid-division, short of room on inner early and soon dropped to rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 17th of 18, 22 1/2l behind Clear Quartz (10-2) at Galway 1m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Secret Sea (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden into 7th 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 7th of 15, 6 1/4l behind La Hacienda (10-2) at Galway 1m 6f hcp sft in Jul.
Downthecellar (IRE) 8-11fav (11-6) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead approaching straight, pushed along after 2 out and headed last, ridden and kept on run-in, not match winner, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Ellaat (11-5) at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Milan Echo (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, bad mistake 6th, ridden and weakened before next, behind when pulled up before last, at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp gd in Jul.
