slowly into stride, towards rear, headway into 5th halfway, improved to 2nd 5f out, challenged 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
chased leaders early, lost place halfway, soon weakened
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led and soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, ridden and headed 5f out, soon weakened and completely tailed off
held up towards rear, headway in 5th 4f out, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway in 7th 3f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, lost place over 4f out, ridden in moderate 7th and no impression 2f out, kept one pace
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 5f out, challenged 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, 6th halfway, headway to 3rd under 4f out, ridden into 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on final furlong, headed close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3f out, no extra and weakened
SALUTE HIM has been operating at a high level since scoring at Navan a year ago and had a spell in Dubai in the spring. He ran very well when fourth in the Listed Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot last time and should get back to winning ways. Nina Carberry has won this a couple of times in recent years and her army of supporters will be latching on to Valain, especially as her mount was beaten at odds-on in this event a year ago when conceding 10lbs to the winner. Dirar is in excellent heart on the flat and over hurdles. He's very much on the upgrade and is on a four-timer after victories at Wolverhampton, Listowel and Ayr though the concession of 10lbs to Salute Him may prove just beyond him. False Economy is another in good form and should be respected in a stronger than normal event of this nature.
False Economy (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Dwelt, held up towards rear, good headway into 2nd 5f out, challenged 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Listowel 1m 6f stks gf in Jun beating Caesar's Song (10-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cloudesley (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Took keen hold early, soon steadied to rear of mid-division, pushed along 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 12, 8l behind Tanfidh (9-4) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Hunting Tower 17-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, kept on one pace from under 3f out without threatening, 10th of 17, 15l behind Mianach (8-12) at Navan 1m 2f hcp 50-80 gf in Jun.
Karagan (FR) 66-1 (8-10) Very slowly away, always behind, 11th of 14, 40l behind Caravel (9-9) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f stks gd in Sep '07.
Magnum Force (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Held up, switched to outer 2f out, headway 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, quickened clear, easily, won at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp gf in May '08 beating Beach Bound (9-3) by 4l, 20 ran.
Salute Him (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along on outside 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, finished well, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Rainbow Peak (9-4) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in Jun.
Southern Mistral 9-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Granary Girl (8-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in May '09.
Valain (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Prominent and took keen hold on outer, raced alone wide on back straight, 3rd 3f out, 2nd over 1f out, kept on well, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Star Wood (10-4) at Bellewstown 1m 5f am stks (4yo+) gd in Jul '09.
End Of The Affair (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Dwelt slightly, held up in rear, no impression from 5f out, ridden in moderate 6th entering straight, no impression, last of 7, 35l behind Roses For The Lady (8-12) at Navan 1m 5f Listed stks gf in Apr.
Hepahepa Naeney (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 9l behind Riverscape (11-0) at Down Royal 2m mrs nov hdl fm in Jun.
Dirar (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Raced in rear, headway over 3f our, soon chasing leaders, led approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun beating Wicked Daze (7-11) by 1l, 8 ran.
Cruel Sea (USA) 12-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 3f out, no extra 2f out, weakened, 9th of 12, 11l behind Vivacious Vivienne (9-2) at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp 60-90 gf in May.
