mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, 3rd before last, no impression
mid-division on outer, ridden after 3 out, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, led 3 out, ridden clear from next, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden in 8th 2 out, 4th at last, kept on without threatening in 3rd inside final furlong
towards rear, under pressure and pushed along halfway, ridden in last 3 out, headway on outer before 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in, never nearer
mid-division, slight mistake 4th, dropped to rear and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division on inner, slight mistake 5 out, ridden 3 out, weakened
held up in rear, headway on outer before 2 out, 9th 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
mid-division, short of room briefly 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 2nd next, kept on without threatening winner run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 4th 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly
mid-division, slight mistake 4 out, weakened from next
mid-division on outer, ridden and no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders on inner, 7th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
in rear, mistake 5 out, fell next
tracked leaders, ridden and no impression from 3 out
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, ridden and dropped to rear 3 out, some modest late progress
Powersbomb won this in 2015 but was beaten twice at the fixture a year ago. Victoria Bay has only had seven starts over hurdles and gained her second victory at Downpatrick but has been hit with a 10lb rise. Black Key is also quite lightly-raced and will be suited by stepping up in trip despite scoring over the minimum at Listowel though he's held by Venezia on their 1-2 at Gowran last summer. Hey Little Boy is certain to attract attention after a close third at Bellewstown on ground that would have been too fast while Aydoun has been confined to the Flat after landing a maiden hurdle at last year's meeting. Santiago De Cuba makes his handicap debut after showing potential while Denham Sound can be given a chance on his best form as he'll stay the trip and enjoy the conditions. JUST GET CRACKING alternates between hurdles and fences and scored over the bigger obstacles at Tramore in April before a fine effort behind Benkei over timber at Killarney on his latest start. He looks to have every chance in a very tough handicap.
Dorans River (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway approaching straight and progress between horses to challenge 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 2 out and no extra run-in, 4th of 8, 5l behind Spring Watch (10-6) at Roscommon 3m hcp gd in Jul.
Victoria Bay (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, left in lead after next, pressed from 3 out, ridden before last and kept on well to stretched clear run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp gd in Jun beating Our Rachael (10-0) by 5 1/2l, 12 ran.
Black Key 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, closed after 5th, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, ridden and no impression on leaders before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind One In All In (11-5) at Limerick 2m gd in Jul.
Dawn Raider (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Chased leaders early before settling in mid-division, took closer order when bad mistake and lost place 5 out, ridden on outer from 3 out and no impression in 6th from next, 6th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Bargy Lady (11-1) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Hey Little Boy (GER) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, ridden to press leader before 2 out, disputed before last, held in 2nd closing stages of run-in, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Babbling Stream (11-10) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp gf in Jul.
Just Get Cracking (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up, 10th at 3rd, closer in 8th at 8th, progress and effort when not fluent 2 out, soon chased winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 3 1/4l behind Benkei (11-5) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp gd in May.
Aydoun (IRE) 5-2 (8-10) Led, pressed early straight, ridden and headed under 2f out, kept on under pressure, no impression final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Jan Van Eyck (8-4) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in Jun.
Powersbomb (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) In rear, pushed along briefly after 5th, never threatened leaders until kept on well under pressure without threatening run-in, 4th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Monarch (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Venezia (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Towards rear early before soon improving into mid-division, closer in 5th from halfway, ridden in 3rd from 2f out, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Emperor Waltz (10-2) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Denham Sound 3-1fav (8-13) Rear of mid-division on outer, some headway approaching straight, pushed along 2f out and ridden in 3rd 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind You Can't Catch Me (9-8) at Limerick 2m 1f hcp gf in Jun.
Mill Quest (IRE) 5-2 (11-13) Prominent, pushed along disputing 2nd before straight, dropped to 4th and no extra from after 2 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 11 1/4l behind Wee Tiger (11-0) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Plouios (IRE) 2-1 (10-10) Led, not fluent 8th, pressed approaching straight and soon headed, dropped to 4th and slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra, 4th of 5, 10 1/4l behind Amschel (10-13) at Roscommon 2m 4f gd in Jul.
Steelambition (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led narrowly, headed before 2 out where not fluent, weakened to 4th after 2 out, no extra, 4th of 6, dist behind Ravenhill (11-10) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f gd in Jun.
Santiago de Cuba (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Led or disputed lead, led after 8th and asserted approaching straight, strongly pressed 2 out and soon headed, ridden and no impression before last, no extra run-in, 5th of 16, 5 3/4l behind Gaillimh Abu (11-4) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn gd in Jul.
Glendine River (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up, soon in rear, detached after 8th, some headway from 3 out, soon no impression, distant 4th from last, one pace, 4th of 7, 37l behind High Nellie (10-13) at Limerick 3m Good - Yielding in Jul.
Newsworthy (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division and 6th from halfway, not fluent 4 out and soon went 3rd, ridden from 3 out, no impression in 4th from before last and dropped to 5th run-in, 5th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Timiyan (10-5) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Sweet Home Chicago (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression before straight, challenged for moderate 2nd 2 out, 3rd and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 26 3/4l behind Prince Garyantle (11-6) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Border Control (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, no extra in 4th before last, 4th of 7, dist behind Pleasure Dome (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f gd in Jul.
Apparition (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Soon mid-division, 7th halfway, headway over 3f out, soon chased leaders and kept on same pace from under 2f out, 5th of 14, 6l behind Low Sun (9-6) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in Jun.
Ballybrowney Jack (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 5th, 6th and slightly hampered 4 out, ridden and no impression from before 3 out, 6th of 13, 25 3/4l behind Running In Heels (11-4) at Bellewstown 3m hcp gf in Jul.
Cosmo's Moon (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden approaching straight and no impression in 5th 2 out, no extra, weakened, 5th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Chateauneuf Du Pap (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f hvy in Mar.
The White Volcano (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Soon chased leaders, moderate 4th after 5th, closer order 4 out, led from 3 out, asserted from 2 out, stayed on well from before last, comfortably, won at Down Royal 3m hcp gd in May beating Lasoscar (10-13) by 5 1/2l, 12 ran.
Touch Base (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead halfway and led before 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn gd in Jul beating Caerleon Kate (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
