soon disputed lead, headed 5th, weakened to last next, soon trailing, no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders, disputed lead briefly 4th, headed next and bad mistake, ridden in 2nd entering straight, dispute lead 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra in 4th run-in
disputed lead, led from 5th, ridden entering straight, joined 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in
held up in last, went 4th at 6th, close 4th 3 out, pushed along disputing 3rd on outer entering straight, ridden in close 4th 2 out, headway to lead at last, stayed on well
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd from 5th, headway travelling well disputing 3rd entering straight, disputed lead on inner 2 out, soon ridden, headed at last, kept on same pace run-in
It's hard to make a case for Araglen Lad in this but the remaining quartet would all have a chance of sorts. Pumbaa will have needed his run at Limerick and Bally Longford is unlikely to fail through lack of fitness as he's gone well after a break before. Xsquared won at Limerick last month and followed up on the Flat at Fairyhouse but he has a bit to find if he is to overturn earlier Killarney running with GAMBLING GIRL (NAP) with Jessica Harrington's mare following up in a three-runner race at Roscommon, where an odds-on favourite failed to get her off the bridle.
Araglen Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Led after 1st, mistake 3rd, headed before 4 out, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Drumhart (11-10) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp gd in May.
Bally Longford (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Disputed lead, hit 4th and unseated rider, at Limerick 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Pumbaa (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Soon prominent in 2nd, mistake 4th, 3rd at 6th, slow jump in 4th at 7th and dropped to 7th, jumped right 4 out, detached and pulled up after 4 out, at Limerick 2m 1f hcp hvy in Apr.
Xsquared (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along in 7th from 3f out, ridden on outer from 2f out and good progress to lead 1f out, swished tail and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jun beating Along The Shore (9-11) by 1l, 14 ran.
Gambling Girl (IRE) 13-8 (11-1) Tracked leader in close 2nd, headway to lead before 6th, asserted after 4 out, reduced advantage 3 out, travelled well and drew clear after 2 out, eased run-in, impressive, won at Roscommon 2m 1f gf in Jun beating Chatham House Rule (11-7) by 14l, 3 ran.
