mid-division, 8th 4 out, moderate 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
disputed early, soon chased leaders, reminders 4th, weakened to rear halfway
always towards rear, trailing halfway, pulled up before 5 out
mid-division, 8th before 3 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, led after 4 out, pushed out to assert approaching last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in
held up towards rear, 10th before 3 out, ridden into moderate 6th 2 out, kept on same pace from last
mid-division, 9th before 3 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace
disputed early, led after 2nd, headed 5th, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out and slight mistake, 2nd before 3 out, ridden and no impression winner before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon weakened
soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, headway in 8th after 4 out, ridden in 5th and no impression approaching 3 out, kept on one pace
disputed early, chased leader after 2nd, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened after 4 out
Mister Hotelier landed a maiden hurdle back in January and Giant's Quest got off the mark over timber at Gowran last time. Winning chaser Tribes And Banner can race off a lower mark back over the smaller obstacles and Esporao reverts to hurdling after winning a chase at Clonmel three weeks ago. This is tougher than the hurdles event Sitcom landed at Sligo last time and Rawnaq is preferred having followed up a Punchestown victory with a win on the Flat at Navan. SHADOW CATCHER won a shade cosily at Down Royal a fortnight ago and, raised only 2lb for that and with Barry Geraghty taking over the reins, he gets the vote in an open affair.
Shadow Catcher 13-2 (11-6) Soon tracked leaders, improved travelling well on inner to lead away from 2 out, pressed from before last where good jump, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m hdl gf in Jun beating Knockcroghery (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 20-1 (10-10) In touch, weakened 4 out, 21st of 22, well behind Cockney Sparrow (9-9) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Balnaslow (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, no extra 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by The Paparrazi Kid (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Apr, 22 ran.
Tasitiocht (IRE) 1-2fav (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, niggled along 4 out, moderate 4th 2 out, moderate 3rd approaching last, kept on without getting there run-in, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Toye Native (11-3) at Down Royal 2m hdl gf in Jun.
Mister Hotelier (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, niggled along to close 4 out, soon prominent going well, challenged and on terms before 2 out, soon led, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan beating Sarabad (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Rawnaq (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, improved to lead 2 out, soon ridden, joined at last, rallied to regain lead run-in, stayed on well close home, won at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gf in May beating Benhego (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 19 ran.
Letherbelucky (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Acapulco (11-4) at Punchestown 3m Handicap Hurdle (95-130) (4yo+) hvy in Apr, 22 ran.
Sitcom (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Settled 3rd early, soon left 2nd, 3rd again before 4 out, headway on inner entering straight, challenged last, soon ridden to press leader, led final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Sligo 2m hdl sft in May beating Torn Asunder (11-12) by 2l, 4 ran.
Esporao (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Made all and soon well clear, unassailable advantage from 3 out, stayed on well straight, unchallenged, won at Clonmel 2m beg chase in Jun beating Coldstonesober (11-9) by 8l, 14 ran.
Giant's Quest (AUS) 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead travelling well 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl gf in Jun beating Fairview Star (11-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Musawama (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden from 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rock Critic (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 15-8 (11-6) Soon chased leaders in 4th, closed 4 out, 3rd approaching straight, ridden into 2nd and every chance last, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace near line, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Arnaud (10-9) at Roscommon 2m chs gf in Jun.
Usa (IRE) 4-1fav (10-7) Held up in rear, in touch in 8th 3 out, soon ridden, 5th next, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Security Breach (10-7) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl gf in Jun.
Mahrajaan (USA) 4-1fav (10-11) Settled in mid-division, 6th approaching straight and headway to join issue bypassing 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 19, 3/4l behind Ted Dolly (11-3) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Jun.
Decade Player (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Soon well off pace towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 14, 50l behind Esporao (11-12) at Clonmel 2m beg chase in Jun.
High Importance (USA) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, hampered by stricken horse early straight and 6th bypassing 2 out, went 5th last and kept on well under pressure run-in, not reach first 2, 3rd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Ted Dolly (11-3) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Jun.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Led and soon clear of remainder with 2nd, slight mistake 6th, reduced lead from 4 out, pressed straight, headed last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Cara's Oscar (11-6) at Roscommon 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gs in Jun.
