slowly into stride, soon led and raced on wide outside throughout, ridden and strongly pressed from 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
held up in 4th/5th, ridden and no impression from 3f out
tracked leaders, moderate 3rd and ridden 3f out, no impression from 2f out
held up in 4th/5th, weakened from 4f out
held up in rear, ridden in moderate 4th 2f out, went moderate 3rd final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden in moderate 4th 3f out, no impression
tracked clear leader in 2nd, closed on leader 2f out and ridden, hung right and ran around under 2f out, no impression on winner final furlong
Comedic Art has yet to recapture last season's form but there's still time and the longer trip could bring about some improvement. Katiola showed the benefit of her opening run with an improved effort in a 1m4f maiden at Leopardstown. She should have no problems with today's trip and has to be on the short-list. Smithfield made most to beat Ted Veale over 1m3f at Killarney and an earlier poor run over this trip at Leopardstown is best ignored. Grand Opera prefers further but Jessie Jane impressed on her reappearance after a very long break and there should be more to come from this daughter of Dylan Thomas. It's difficult to know what to make of the victory of PHANTOM OF PLENTY at Leopardstown last week as Gary Philips set off in front over that 1m2f and never looked like being caught, coming home nine lengths clear. It's not surprising that he runs with a penalty and though out of the handicap his young jockey's claim should be enough to enable him to complete a quick double.
Solo Performer (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Very slowly away and always behind, last of 14, 12l behind Muck 'N' Brass (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Comedic Art (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division on outer, ridden along 4f out, kept on one paced on outer from 1 1/2f out, 7th of 11, 5l behind Final Flashback (9-8) at Wexford 1m 4f hcp 50-80 gd in Jul.
Smithfield (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Soon led at ordinary pace, pressed and joined straight, soon possibly narrowly headed, in front and stayed on well under pressure from 1f out, won at Killarney 1m 3f mdn stks in Jul beating Ted Veale (9-7) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Grand Opera (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway into 4th 4f out, ridden into 2nd 2f out, led entering straight, strongly pressed final furlong, all out, won at Galway 2m hcp 50-70 sft beating Rawnaq (9-10) by nk, 12 ran.
Redera (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway in straight to go 4th 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 9, 6l behind Beach Of Falesa (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp sft in Jul.
Face Value 2-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along in 11th 4f out, no impression in moderate 9th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Grand Opera (9-4) at Galway 2m hcp 50-70 sft.
Phantom Of Plenty (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Keen hold and soon led, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, pulled clear closing stages, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f App hcp gs beating Tiffilia (8-11) by 9l, 9 ran.
Mesariya (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 10l behind Zariyna (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 1f fll hcp gs.
Katiola (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge under 2f out, narrow lead final 200 yards, kept on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f 3yo mdn gd in Jul beating Jack Daddy (9-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Jessie Jane (IRE) 4-7fav (9-0) Prominent, keen hold, closed up into straight, soon challenged and on terms from over 1f out, stayed on well to gain upper hand closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in Jul beating Knight Of Bangkok (9-5) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
