tracked leaders, raced on outer throughout, dropped to 6th halfway, progress entering straight, ridden in 3rd before last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd near line
made all, clear for most, wandered around briefly approaching 5th, pushed along approaching last, ridden and stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression from 2 out
towards rear, headway into 4th after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
in rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
rear of mid-division, 6th and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, 7th and ridden after 3 out, no impression from 2 out
towards rear, progress into 6th entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon 2nd, no impression on winner run-in and dropped to 3rd near line
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 2 out, 2nd 2 out, dropped to 5th at last, no impression run-in
The unbeaten AIRLIE BEACH looks a cracking prospect and it will be a surprise if she's beaten. Willie Mullins' mare has been a very impressive winner of all three starts over timber after her bumper victory and receives 7lb from stable companion Daisy's Gift, who didn't take to fences after her victory in this race last year. Emcon won a handicap at Listowel a couple of weeks ago but has a bit to find with the Mullins pair on official ratings and though the four-year-old Plain Talking is receiving lumps of weight her overall form leaves her with plenty to do.
Daisy's Gift (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Close up early, slightly slow 1st, slow jump 2nd, soon lost place, not fluent 4th, progress again from 7th, no impression from 3 out, soon no extra, last of 16, dist behind Scamall Dubh (11-12) at Galway 2m 7f Good - Yielding in Jul.
Airlie Beach (IRE) 6-5 (11-2) Made all, shaken up briefly before last, soon asserted, eased run-in, won at Galway 2m 5f sft in Sep beating Retour En France (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Emcon (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Soon mid-division, closed into 3rd from 3 out, challenged next, led from last, stayed on well, won at Listowel 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep beating Ballyadam Brook (10-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Flaviana (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Prominent, hampered 4th where left disputing lead, headed from next, led from 7th, headed after 8th, no extra and one pace approaching last, 4th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Water Sprite (11-5) at Bellewstown 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Msmilan (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, not fluent in 5th at 3rd, progress to 4th after 5th, ridden in moderate 3rd before 3 out, no impression on principals, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 36l behind Screaming Rose (10-11) at Killarney 2m 6f Yielding in Aug.
Rathmuck Native (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along to go 3rd under 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Aydoun (9-5) at Listowel 1m 4f mdn hvy in Sep.
Thanks For Tea (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th early, 4th from 6th, 3rd 5 out, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 21 1/2l behind Airlie Beach (11-2) at Galway 2m 5f sft in Sep.
Billy's Hope (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Went right at start, chased leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 4 out, pushed along after next and headed after 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 2nd close home, last of 3, 23 1/2l behind Airlie Beach (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f gd in Aug.
Plain Talking (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression on leader before 2 out where mistake, under pressure in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 14 1/2l behind Swamp Fox (10-10) at Listowel 2m hcp hvy in Sep.
