tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd and ridden to challenge under 2f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, not clear run early straight, improved into 2nd and challenged over 1f out, led 100 yards from finish, kept on well
close up in 2nd, ridden to lead 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed 100 yards from finish, kept on
chased leaders in 5th, ridden entering straight, 4th from over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, not clear run on inner 1 1/2f out, switched over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders in 6th, ridden and no impression straight
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
Ger Lyons has won this for the past two years and tonight's representative, THE REAPER, can make it a hat-trick, especially as many of his rivals look as though they need further. The selection had been running well over 7f and a mile before showing excellent pace to score over the minimum trip here three weeks ago for which he has been raised 9lb. Vastitas would win this if showing the form that saw him just touched off by Petronius Maximus at the Curragh last month but he didn't reproduce that effort at Naas a week later. Equus Ferus has been running on at the end of his races over 7f and may find this too short, a remark that also applies to Belleau and Bobskier, both winners over 7f on turf. Madeira Man and Miss Estrada are lightly raced but will need to improve to take a hand.
The Reaper (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, challenged in 2nd 1f out, kept on to lead final 150 yards, stayed on strongly close home, won at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in Oct beating Catalpa Sail (9-3) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Madeira Man (IRE) 11-2 (8-3) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on to 2nd inside final furlong, no impression winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Deire Na Sli (8-8) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo hcp sft in Oct.
Vastitas (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Prominent, close 2nd after halfway, ridden 2f out, 4th 1f out, one pace, 5th of 18, 8l behind Redskin Dancer (9-0) at Naas 6f 2yo fll mdn gd in Oct.
Belleau (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, 6th and no impression from 2f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Pirateer (8-7) at Listowel 1m 2yo hcp in Sep.
Equus Ferus (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, switched right early straight, improved into 2nd over 1f out, kept on well without reaching winner, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Tradition (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn auc stks pol in Oct.
Bobskier (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra in 3rd 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 12l behind Deire Na Sli (8-8) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo hcp sft in Oct.
Miss Estrada (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up, progress on inner early straight, moderate 6th 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 13, 23l behind Bible Belt (9-0) at Roscommon 7f 2yo flls mdn auc stks gd in Sep.
