waited with towards rear, headway 2f out, moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on without troubling winner
prominent, lost place and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent, led before halfway, sent on soon after, quickly reduced lead and headed under 1f out, soon no extra and kept on same pace
ponied to start, waited with in rear, improved 2f out, moderate 5th 1f out, kept on
soon tracked leaders, good headway to challenge and lead from under 1f out, soon asserted, comfortably
waited with in rear of mid-division, closer order 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening
soon chased leaders, moderate 6th and kept on same pace under pressure from 1f out
soon chased leaders, lost place and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, lost place and no extra from over 1f out
towards rear, ridden along halfway, soon no impression and kept on same pace
keen hold and soon led, headed before halfway, no extra 1f out
soon rear of mid-division, 10th before halfway, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
Six Of Hearts is having his 88th start and is on his lowest mark for over two years as he goes for his tenth victory. Forester ran a shocker when fancied at Gowran though that can't have been his true form while stablemate Rain God capitulated very quickly over a mile at Killarney during the week when attempting a hat-trick. Man Of Erin is entitled to the greatest respect from this mark but he's never faced quick ground so it's LIGHTNIN HOPKINS who gets the nod. Ger Lyons' charge had subsequent winner Bronte behind at Fairyhouse earlier this month and a 4lb rise shouldn't be enough to prevent a follow-up. Eastern Rules is also going well though an 8lb rise for a narrow victory over the course and distance last month looks harsh.
Six of Hearts 6-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Bubbly Bellini (9-7) at Navan 6f hcp in Jun.
Forester (IRE) 2-1fav (9-9) Soon disputed lead, headed from 2f out, soon no extra and eased final furlong, last of 6, 19l behind Edith Cowan (9-1) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gf.
Rain God (USA) 4-5fav (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, soon joined, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Royal Blue Star (8-10) at Killarney 1m stks gf.
Tobann (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Waited with towards rear, 9th and effort 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 4l behind Fiesolana (9-8) at Leopardstown 6f flls Group 3 stks (1) in Jun.
Eastern Rules (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, 10th 4f out, headway from 3f out, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, improved to lead narrowly close home, stayed on well, won at Curragh 7f hcp 50-85 gf in Jun beating Bethany Bay (9-2) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Karamaya (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led 2 1/2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Snow Queen (9-3) at Naas 6f 2yo prm hcp hvy in Oct.
Ask Dad 20-1 (8-6) Soon tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 9th of 30, 4l behind Burn The Boats (8-8) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 4-1 (9-9) Raced in 4th, pushed along approaching straight and no impression under pressure over 1f out, 3rd and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Bronte (9-2) at Tipperary 7f hcp gf.
Lightnin Hopkins (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Chased leader in 2nd, pushed along in 2nd 2f out, soon closed on leader, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 7f 3yo hcp gd beating Bronte (9-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Norville (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Held up, 9th halfway, ridden entering straight, no impression, 8th of 11, 6l behind Greek Canyon (8-11) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gf.
Man Of Erin (IRE) 9-2fav (9-6) Soon led, headed and dropped to 3rd 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong but no impression on winner, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Slipper Orchid (9-2) at Curragh 7f hcp gs in May.
Stones Peak (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, 10th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Greek Canyon (8-11) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gf.
