tracked leader, led before 2 out, pushed out and stayed on well to assert from last
waited with, mainly in rear, no impression from 4 out, no extra approaching 2 out where mistake
led, headed before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra, one pace
raced mainly in 3rd, bad mistake 1st and almost unseated rider, a little slow at 5th, slight mistake 7th, not fluent 10th, closed and effort from before 2 out, soon 2nd and under pressure, kept on without matching winner from last
Gordon Elliott has a very good record in this and Grade 1-winning hurdler Mengli Khan now has plenty of experience over fences though hasn't done as well as expected. Razoul had some smart form over timber and made an impressive start over fences when tackling this track and trip last month, staying on very strongly. Knock On Steel arrives in top form having scored over fences at Killarney and over hurdles at Cork earlier this month while dual hurdles winner Demain Des L'aube put last year's jumping problems behind on his reappearance at Kilbeggan. EASY GAME could prove top-class over fences in time. Four-times a winner over hurdles, including at Grade 2 and 3 level, he made a winning start over fences at Leopardstown before beaten narrowly by Faugheen in the Grade 1 Flogas on the same track. He fell in the RSA at Cheltenham but will be better for his recent run in the Galway Plate.
Easy Game (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Held up, hampered 5 out, ridden and no impression before 3 out, 11th of 21, 19 1/4l behind Early Doors (10-5) at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jul.
You Can't Catch Me (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Led and disputed on outer, headed approaching straight, weakened, 10th of 14, dist behind Sean Says (10-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Knock On Steel (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Made all, slight mistake 6th, went on approaching next, soon reduced lead, pressed straight, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug beating Broder (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Razoul (IRE) 8-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, pushed along and led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m 5f Yielding in Jul beating Line Out (12-0) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
From Eden (USA) 40-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, dropped towards rear 4f out, ridden and no extra 3f out, last of 15, 21 1/2l behind Walking On Glass (9-7) at Galway 2m hcp Yielding in Jul.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Led, slight mistake 3 out, headed from next and pushed along, dropped to rear approaching straight, no impression, 4th of 5, 17 1/2l behind Sayo (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Aug.
Demain Des L'Aube (FR) 11-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 5th 2 out, soon ridden, 5th at last, no impression, 6th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Jerandme (12-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Jul.
Rippon Lodge (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led, headed at 4th, led before 7th, increased advantage after 4 out, clear after 2 out, reduced advantage at last, soon ridden, weakened and headed final 150 yards, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Drifting Back (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f mdn gd in Aug.
