chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead under 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden and led 2f out, headed under 1f out, no extra in 3rd close home
held up in 5th, ridden 2f out, weakened
held up in rear, headway entering straight, ridden in 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to go 2nd close home
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened
towards rear, ridden on outer in last under 2f out, last 1f out, kept on without threatening to go 4th close home
It's All A Joke had shown his best form at Dundalk before a fine effort at Fairyhouse on Friday when just failing to concede Waitingfortheday 5lb. His stable companion Elegant Drama has been gradually improving and was having only her fifth start when landing a maiden on that track last month. War Hero has been racing over longer trips and has only won at Dundalk though there was plenty to like about his close second over 7f at Gowran earlier this month. GOTTARDO holds Hello Brigette on their run at the Curragh last month and was staying on strongly in a tough handicap over 5f on a return visit. He's unexposed and is taken to gain his first victory on Turf.
War Hero (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Soon tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, kept on final furlong, held, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind That Is The Spirit (9-6) at Gowran Park 7f hcp gf in Jun.
Hello Brigette (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders on far side, pushed along in 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra, eased final furlong, 13th of 14, 21 1/4l behind Urban Beat (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp hvy in May.
Elegant Drama (IRE) 7-4 (9-0) Led early, tracked leaders and led again halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on well close home, won at Fairyhouse 6f mdn gf in May beating Excelling Spirit (9-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Highly Approved (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Dwelt, soon raced in 4th, closed halfway, pushed along before straight, not match winner when edged slightly right 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, one pace, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Bond Street (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f gf in Jun.
Gottardo (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Held up, switched right 2f out, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Blue Uluru (9-6) at Curragh 5f hcp gf in Jun.
Cristale (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Close up, under pressure and weakened halfway, last 1 1/2f out, no extra, eased final 100 yards, last of 16, 15 3/4l behind Julia's Magic (9-0) at Navan 5f hcp gf in May.
It's All A Joke (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Prominent early, soon settled mid-division, ridden into 6th 1 1/2f out, stayed on into 2nd 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, held in 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Waitingfortheday (9-7) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gd in Jun.
