tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, 2nd over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
pushed along briefly early, prominent, pushed along again 3f out, dropped to 4th over 2f out, soon no extra, eased final furlong
pushed along briefly early, soon led, pushed along again 4f out, kept on well final furlong, all out to hold on at the finish
a little keen, tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, 3rd over 2f out, dropped to 6th from 1f out, no extra and slightly impeded inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along under 3f out, improved to chase leaders in 4th 1f out, stayed on well closing stages, just failed
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, 5th 2f out, chased winner from 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
a little keen, chased leaders, pushed along on bend soon after 2f, raced towards outer under 3f out, soon no impression, no extra from 2f out
towards rear, a little keen, pushed along towards outer under 3f out, soon improved, kept on well closing stages without reaching leaders
Lean And Keen won this last year on very heavy ground by a massive 15l but has been unable to replicate that performance and probably needs those conditions. Castle Guest ran an excellent race in a premier handicap at Leopardstown last time and is 3lb lower than his last victory on that track so must be on the shortlist. Ruler Of France made all over a mile at Killarney but was fading in the closing stages and only just held on. KNOCKMAOLE BOY (NAP) beat a subsequent winner here last month before defying a 4lb rise at Tipperary. This is his trip and conditions so a hat-trick looks on the cards. Emperor Bob can go well off bottom weight despite being beaten in a claimer last week when well supported.
Castle Guest (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along and ridden from 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Qatari Hunter (8-9) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Lean And Keen (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Henry's Girl (8-9) at Tipperary 1m 4f hcp gf in May.
Ruler Of France 11-2 (9-4) Led and soon went clear, still clear when ridden over 2f out, reduced advantage over 1f out and strongly pressed closing stages, just held on, won at Killarney 1m Yielding in Jul beating Mr Right (9-7) by shd, 4 ran.
Knockmaole Boy (IRE) 5-2 (9-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, progress entering straight and ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Tipperary 1m 1f hcp Yielding in Jun beating Belclare Boy (8-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Daredevil Day (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Ran 5th, 6th 4f out, ridden in 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final furlong to 4th on line, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Vastonea (9-12) at Naas 1m 2f hcp sft in Jul.
Talented Kid 16-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear and 13th halfway, pushed along from 2f out and soon ridden, kept on well inside final furlong and went 3rd close home, never nearer, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Aared (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Jul.
Romiac (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Soon raced in 6th, pushed along over 3f out, no extra and eased over 1f out, 9th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Tribal Path (9-8) at Bellewstown 1m hcp hvy in Jul.
Emperor Bob (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Held up, took keen hold, pushed along to chase leaders straight, kept on same pace from under 2f out, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Specific Gravity (9-8) at Dundalk 1m pol in Jul.
