Verdict

Hazel Blue came good at Dundalk last time and had earlier finished ahead of Twistsandturns at Gowran. The latter went on to win at Naas but a couple of the older horses make more appeal. Top weight Al Fahidi was racing off a much higher mark at this time last year and an improved effort at Leopardstown last time suggests he can go close. But TAHAF beat Maal at Bellewstown last month before going close again at Galway on his latest start with Longfield Lad back in sixth - he gets the vote in a wide-open affair.

Formwatch

Al Fahidi (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Reluctant to load, soon settled 5th, progress to 2nd over 2f out, ridden into narrow lead under 2f out, headed over 150 yards out, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Amazing Star (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 1f stks.

Merry Mast (USA) 14-1 (9-13) Dwelt, mid-division and ridden halfway, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 4l behind She's Not Simple (9-7) at Naas 6f hcp 47-65.

Our Manekineko 14-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, pushed along halfway, no impression straight, 12th of 13, 30l behind Millington (8-8) at Naas 1m app hcp 47-65 gf in Jul.

Longfield Lad (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression entering straight, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 18, 9l behind Cairdiuil (9-9) at Galway 1m hcp 50-70 gd in Jul.

Tahaf (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, led over 2f out, ridden entering straight, challenged inside final furlong and headed closing stages, 2nd of 18, 1 1/4l behind Cairdiuil (9-9) at Galway 1m hcp 50-70 gd in Jul.

Maal (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, kept on inside final furlong to go 6th close home, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Captains Dilemma (9-10) at Tipperary 7f app hcp 47-65 gf.

Beatabout The Bush (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no impression in 5th approaching straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 9l behind Falkirk (9-5) at Ballinrobe 1m 2f mdn stks.

Elusive Award (USA) 8-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride and settled towards rear, 6th 3f out, ridden under 2f out and no impression from over 1f out, last of 8, 10l behind Naoise (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m hcp 50-75 gf in Jun.

Anner Queen (IRE) 5-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, ran freely early, ridden and no impression 2f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Port Merrion (9-0) at Curragh 7f hcp sft.

Hazel Blue (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Broke smartly before settling behind leaders, 5th 3f out and ridden from over 2f out, improved to lead 150 yards out and kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Jul beating Gold Falcon (9-8) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.

Twistsandturns (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division, progress straight, ridden in 4th over 1f out, kept on under pressure to lead 50 yards out, won at Naas 7f 3yo hcp 47-65 beating Millington (9-12) by 1/2l, 16 ran.

Athassel 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 7th over 3f out, ridden entering straight, no impression 1f out, 7th of 12, 13l behind Aussie Guest (9-4) at Cork 1m 4f hcp 47-65.

Delta Beat 40-1 (9-13) Always behind, no impression from halfway, never a factor, last of 8, 24l behind Kings Ryker (9-5) at Roscommon 7f mdn stks gf in Jul.

High Hill Beauty (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ran freely early, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 6l behind Ridestan (9-4) at Killarney 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 gd in Jul.

Minot Street (CAN) 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace over 1f out, 5th of 12, 5l behind Zelos Dream (8-9) at Gowran Park 1m 1f app hcp 47-65.

Bane (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden into 6th 2f out, no impression in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace to 4th close home, 4th of 8, 19l behind Brooch (9-0) at Galway 1m mdn stks gd in Jul.

Golan Heights (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Awkward leaving stalls, soon chased leaders, 5th 1f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Bog War (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.

Ed Led Jed (IRE) 14-1 (7-12) Rear of mid-division, ran freely, 8th halfway, no impression in 6th 2f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 10, 16l behind Glance Of Doon (8-2) at Tramore 1m 4f 3yo hcp 47-70 gd in May.