chased leader, towards rear after 1st, dropped to 5th 4 out, soon under pressure, detached after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake at 1st and dropped to 3rd, not fluent at 2nd, soon 2nd, took closer order 3 out, ridden and no chance with winner run-in, kept on same pace
led, not fluent at 3rd, increased advantage after 5th, jumped left at 6th, reduced lead 3 out, not fluent at last, kept on well, easily
towards rear, progress to 2nd after 1st, 3rd after 2nd, dropped to 4th 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
rear, progress to 4th 4 out, improved to 3rd 3 out, no impression on winner before last, one paced run-in
This is notable for the return of Grade 2 winner BALLYOISIN. He’s been off the track since 2019 but made a winning return that year and Enda Bolger’s smart chaser is clear at the weights if anywhere near his best. Visioman is penalised under today’s conditions having struggled in the Galway Plate last time but went close at Kilbeggan earlier while Winter Escape has shown little since winning at Listowel last year. Exit Poll has been in better form recently but Rocky Court has it all to do on these terms.
Visioman (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 11th of 22, 23 1/4l behind Royal Rendezvous (11-5) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Exit Poll (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden in 7th after 3 out, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 20, 6 1/4l behind Abbey Magic (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Ballyoisin (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Led, 5-length advantage halfway, pressed 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, under pressure in 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Cilaos Emery (11-7) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Rocky Court (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Very reluctant to race, raced detached in rear, ridden and no impression from 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Buddy Rich (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 1f gd in Jul.
Winter Escape (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra 3 out, 13th of 20, 36 3/4l behind Abbey Magic (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
