Gordon Elliott invariably has a strong hand in these charity events, as he did with Pallasator at Punchestown on Thursday. He looks to have found a winning opportunity for owner Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who won last year's Newmarket Town Plate, with BRUTAL, who has been racing over hurdles but is still rated 101 on the Flat. Veinard also represents the in-form yard and he'll be warming up for another spell over hurdles but Circus Ring has only won on the all-weather and is yet to reach a place in seven starts on Turf. Emperor Waltz arrives in the best form of the lot having made a successful handicap debut over 1m6f at Killarney in August so he looks the main threat.
Emperor Waltz 12-1 (9-4) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and closed under 2f out, headway to strongly challenge leader 1f out, soon led, kept on well, asserted close home, won at Killarney 1m 6f hcp Yielding in Aug beating Nelson Road (8-13) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Brutal (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, went left 4th, hit 3 out, pushed along and headed before next, chased winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Eneko (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) hvy in Sep.
Analyse That (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) 9th of 11, 30l behind Water Sprite (12-4) at Gowran Park 1m 4f Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Edification 25-1 (9-7) Prominent and led after 1f, headed entering straight, ridden and no extra under 2f out, 12th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Hit The Silk (9-4) at Limerick 7f hvy in Oct.
Jack Blue (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) 13th of 16, dist behind Pallasator (12-0) at Punchestown 1m 6f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Scealtana (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, 12th from 4th, last when mistake 8th, pulled up before 4 out, at Tramore 2m 5f hcp sft in Aug.
Circus Ring (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Awkward leaving stalls, raced in rear, 14th halfway, 11th 3f out, came wide entering straight, soon ridden, weakened 1 1/2f out, 13th of 14, 16 3/4l behind Thunder Crash (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Shaluna (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) 15th of 16, dist behind Pallasator (12-0) at Punchestown 1m 6f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Circling Moon (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Mid-division on outer, pushed along entering straight and no extra under 2f out, 12th of 16, 19 1/2l behind Port Moody (9-3) at Limerick 1m 3f hvy in Oct.
Hey Hey Alejandro (USA) 40-1 (8-13) Held up, 12th approaching straight, soon no impression, dropped behind over 1f out, soon eased, last of 14, dist behind Palavicini Run (9-10) at Fairyhouse 7f gd in Jul.
Nancys Icon (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Disputed lead, headed after 2nd, 3rd from 8th, led before 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon headed and no extra, one pace, 4th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Presenting Julio (11-2) at Killarney 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
Ibsen (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden in 12th and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 11th of 24, 23 1/2l behind Lord Erskine (8-5) at Navan 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Veinard (FR) 6-4 (11-7) Raced in 3rd early, soon 4th, closer in 3rd again after 3 out, not much room 2 out, soon switched left, not fluent and no impression last, one pace, 4th of 5, 6 3/4l behind Shadagann (11-3) at Wexford 2m gd in May.
Veneer Of Charm (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride and reminders early, towards rear, ridden over 2f out and 6th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Mustajeer (9-10) at Naas 1m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Charmix (FR) (10-10) 7th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Bon Augure (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in May.
Presenting Julio (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, some headway on outer 3f out, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 13l behind Nelson Road (9-1) at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep.
