tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, 5th at last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden in 6th and mistake 2 out, weakened
towards rear, closer in 6th and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
rear of mid-division, progress into 4th and ridden 2 out, 3rd at last, led inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, headed close home
prominent, disputed lead 2nd to 4th, led after 3 out, ridden and mistake at last, headed inside final furlong, 3rd and no extra close home
tracked leaders early, mistakes 1st and 2nd, soon mid-division on inner, moderate 8th 4 out, moderate 6th 2 out, soon pushed along and closer in 6th when mistake at last, switched to inner and headway after last, stayed on well to lead close home
led, joined 2nd to 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, no impression from 2 out
always behind, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
always behind, mistake 6th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division early, closer in 3rd at 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2 out, 2nd at last, no extra run-in
The classy Long Dog won this for Willie Mullins last year and the champion trainer has Master Of Verse and PENHILL engaged here. The former easily won a Fairyhouse maiden on ground with some give but has been found wanting on quicker going over longer trips. The latter looked a high-class recruit on his hurdling debut at Tramore and there was obviously something amiss when tailed off at Killarney. It later transpired that he'd broken blood vessels but wouldn't be running here unless fully recovered and is taken to make amends. Oathkeeper's last two victories, one of them in a bumper, have been over 2m4f but he has plenty of pace and won't be done for speed. Three Wise Men ran a cracking race behind a pair of Willie Mullins fancied runners at Punchestown where he looked a really nice prospect but the mare Billy's Hope looked suited to 2m3f at Limerick.
Derulo (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, a little keen, pushed along briefly between horses after 7th, pushed again along in 5th before straight, no impression from between last 2, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Delegate (10-8) at Roscommon 2m sft in Jun.
Gunner Mcgregor (IRE) 9-4cfav (11-12) Prominent, slight mistakes 6th and 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before straight, led run-in and stayed on well to soon assert, won at Limerick 2m mdn gd in Jun beating Gone Platinum (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 16 ran.
Hudson's Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Raced a bit keen in 6th, not fluent 5th, carried right 4 out and soon improved into 3rd, pushed along in 2nd after next, ridden and jumped right 2 out, kept on well run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Tesseract (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Jul.
Master Of Verse (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Led and disputed, led from 3rd, slight mistake 2 out, strongly pressed from last, headed closing stages and one pace, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Carrig Cathal (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Jul.
Oathkeeper (IRE) 2-9fav (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, disputed after 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Killarney 2m 4f mdn gd in Jul beating Billy De Kid (11-4) by 4 1/4l, 10 ran.
Penhill 9-10fav (11-12) Chased leaders in 4th, mistake 2nd and not fluent at times, dropped to 6th before 3 out, soon no extra and eased, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Tesseract (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Jul.
Three Wise Men (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and left 3rd approaching straight, ridden and closer before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Koshari (11-2) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Golan Diamond (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division and not fluent 1st, 4th halfway, not fluent 3 out, progress on outer before next and soon ridden in 2nd, almost on terms last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 9, 8l behind Stormey (11-4) at Sligo 2m mdn sft in Jul.
Its Pandorama (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs in 4th, mstk 7th & 7th 5out, wknd 4out, to when pu bef 2out, at Kinsale 3m mdn gd in May.
Billy's Hope (IRE) 9-10fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden to lead, asserted before last, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in May beating West Bridge (11-7) by 6 1/2l, 15 ran.
