tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead briefly entering straight, not fluent and headed 2 out, under pressure and no impression on winner last, switched right run-in and kept on one pace
towards rear, some headway 4 out, pushed along approaching straight, 5th and mistake 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway on outer approaching straight and went 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in
held up in rear of mid-division, some headway 4 out, soon pushed along and lost place after next, no impression in 9th when mistake 2 out, no extra, eased run-in, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and no impression approaching straight, some headway after 2 out and kept on one pace run-in
chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, slow next and soon dropped towards rear, detached after 3 out, weakened, completely tailed off
led, headed entering straight and dropped to 4th 2 out, pushed along and no impression approaching last, no extra
always rear, never a factor, detached before 4 out, no extra after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, closer halfway and went 3rd before 4 out, headway to lead 2 out, pushed along approaching last where not fluent, ridden and kept on well run-in
held up towards rear, closer 4 out, pushed along approaching straight and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, closer halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no impression in 6th next, ridden and kept on one pace from before last
Plinth won this last year, ending a run of three victories for Willie Mullins, who looks to have the answer again with WICKLOW BRAVE. He's rated 17lb clear of anything else and the race conditions are very much in favour of last year's Punchestown Champion Hurdle winner, runner-up to Supasundae in the same race in April, who could be heading back to Australia later for another crack at the Melbourne Cup. Last year's winner, one of four from Joseph O'Brien's yard. has lost his form but The Game Changer, who was a long way behind the selection at Punchestown, bounced back on quicker ground at Down Royal. Grade 1-winning hurdler Don't Touch It had a poor winter over fences and Slowmotion has also been racing over the bigger obstacles and may be warming up for the Galway Plate where she finished third a year ago. Joey Sasa will enjoy the ground and trip more than most and could snatch a place at a fair price.
Wicklow Brave 12-1 (9-1) Ridden to lead, led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Stradivarius (9-1) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Plinth (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, 7th after 5th, pushed along to 4th approaching straight, no impression on leaders, dropped to 5th before last, kept on one pace, joined for 5th on line, 5th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Treasure Chest (10-3) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp gd in Jun.
Sharjah (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 4 out and briefly pushed along, ridden in 8th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 20l behind Draconien (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
The Game Changer (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, closed up after 3 out, on terms from before 2 out, gained narrow lead and stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f gd in Jun beating Flaxen Flare (11-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tigris River (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Prominent, 2nd 3 out, ridden from next, 4th at last, no impression, 6th of 24, 6 3/4l behind True Self (9-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, blundered 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Dr Mikey (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Made all, clear and slight mistake 4th, reduced advantage 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure from last, won at Cork 2m hvy in Apr beating Brelade (11-4) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Prominent on outer, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, weakened entering straight, 14th of 24, 14 3/4l behind True Self (9-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Joey Sasa (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Slowly away, towards rear, headway over 2f out and ridden in 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Law Girl (10-9) at Listowel 1m 7f gd in Jun.
Tully East (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway into 8th from 8th, closed and mistake 3 out, one pace last, 3rd of 20, 8 1/4l behind Patricks Park (9-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb.
Slowmotion (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along from 2nd, 10th from 4th, under pressure before 9th, moderate 9th from 11th, soon no impression, 6th of 15, dist behind Magic Of Light (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
