in rear, headway 7th, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace from 3 out
chased leader, slight mistake 7th, closed from 4 out, soon close up, pushed along from 3 out, kept on without matching winner run-in
held up in touch, no impression in rear from 4 out, no extra and eased straight, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along from 4 out and no impression
chased leaders, pushed along 8th, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, one pace
led, soon clear, reduced lead from 4 out, still travelling smoothly from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and pressed, stayed on well under pressure run-in
SIMENON (NAP) is not the force of old in staying races on the Flat nowadays. But he won a Grade 3 hurdle at Tipperary in 2014 the last time he raced over timber and Willie Mullins’ charge should have the measure of these. Stablemate Mckinley looks next best on his handicap win at Sandown in April while Gusty Rocky and Shanpallas arrive on the back of victories but both take on tougher opposition today. Rich Coast has not won since 2014 but has a shout if running up to his mark and is preferred to Shadow Catcher, who seems better over the larger obstacles these days.
Gusty Rocky (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th after 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly, eased closing stages, won at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Jun beating Steamboat Bill (10-8) by 8l, 13 ran.
Mckinley 9-1 (8-9) Mid-division, 8th halfway, some progress entering straight and 5th 2f out, ridden in 6th 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Papa's Way (8-8) at Curragh 2m hcp Yielding in Jun.
Rich Coast 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden before 2 out, no impression before last, 3rd run-in and kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 8 1/2l behind Tiger Roll (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f gd in May.
Shadow Catcher 9-1 (11-3) Always rear, pushed along after 3rd, detached and slight mistake 5th, no threat from halfway, completely tailed off, last of 3, dist behind Ttebbob (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Shanpallas (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden in 4th, 2nd before straight, challenged before last, disputed run-in, edged ahead close home, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp gd in May beating Cliff House (11-7) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Simenon (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, led after 2f, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out, 15th of 18, 24 1/4l behind Commissioned (9-2) at Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gs in Jun.
Credo Star (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders early, dropped to rear at 3rd, trailing before 5th, no impression before 4 out, moderate 4th 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Listen Dear (11-7) at Down Royal 2m gd in Jun.
