mid-division, 11th after halfway, no extra from 4f out
soon behind, completely tailed off
rear of mid-division, progress into 7th before straight, soon drifted to rail and short of room 1f out, switched to outer and ran on well without threatening
tracked leaders, 4th over 3f out, dropped to 9th and kept on same pace from before straight
soon chased leaders, closer in 3rd travelling well over 3f out, chased winner from before straight, kept on under pressure final furlong without getting there
tracked leaders, under pressure in 3rd before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
mid-division, 9th after halfway, no impression from 3f out
prominent, 2nd over 3f out, dropped to 8th and no impression from before straight
soon towards rear, ran off bend early, behind after and virtually pulled up closing stages, completely tailed off
soon disputed lead, in front travelling well over 3f out, ridden before straight, stayed on best final furlong
soon disputed lead, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders from halfway, 6th over 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure from before straight
soon settled in mid-division, closer in 7th over 3f out, ridden in 5th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 5th after halfway, lost place from 4f out, soon weakened
soon mid-division, 8th over 3f out, ridden into 4th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace without threatening
rear of mid-division, headway 3f out, 10th and kept on without threatening from before straight
towards rear for most, never a factor, completely tailed off
Dermot Weld has won this twice in the past few years with four-year-olds so Fort Defiance will attract support, as he did on his debut at Naas in March when odds-on. He has to settle for second place that day in a tactical battle that didn't suit and the winner, Double Double, has turned out to be useful as he showed when scoring at Leopardstown in May. Runner-up that day was MAYTIDE, who was only a length behind and looks a very promising type. From a yard that does well with bumpers, this son of Sadler's Wells ran a superb race and will take some beating with conditions more likely to favour him. Apt Manor came to the Festival a year ago and ran a fine race behind Natural High, who has won twice subsequently. Willie Mullins' charge hasn't been seen on a racecourse since but will be primed for a big effort here. The remainder with experience will all need to improve in what looks a strong event.
Bringbackthebert (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Mid div till fell 8th, in a race won by The Rodeo Clown (12-0) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Clonalvey Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Always trailing, pulled up 5f out, in a race won by Letterofapproval (11-11) at Cork 2m 3f N H flat gf, 15 ran.
Henro Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 8th 3f out, 5th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Tus Nua (10-11) at Down Royal 2m N H flat fm in Jun.
Lord Mark (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway in 10th entering straight, ridden and kept on one pace, 9th of 22, 27l behind Bullock Harbour (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 1f N H flat gf in May.
Apt Manor (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, some progress 4f out, 7th over 2f out, 6th into straight, ran on strongly final 100 yards, never nearer, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Natural High (11-6) at Galway 2m N H flat in Aug.
Lady Chatterbox (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, progress into 2nd and ridden entering straight, no impression on winner 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Luna Runner (11-2) at Wexford 2m mrs N H flat gd in Jun.
Rossadare (IRE) Definite Article mare out of Eluna.
She Will Return (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 23l behind Silver Friend (11-7) at Cork 2m N H flat hvy in Dec.
Unlucky At Last (IRE) Saddlers' Hall mare out of Sapphire Star.
Fort Defiance 4-7fav (11-5) Tracked leader in moderate 2nd, ridden 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Double Double (10-12) at Naas 2m 4yo nhf in Mar.
Killowen Star (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th 5f out, ridden straight, 9th 2f out, weakened, 11th of 17, 32l behind Laganbank (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo nhf sft.
Maytide (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway in 7th 5f out, 4th 3f out, improved in 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led briefly last 150 yards, headed inside final 100 yards and no extra, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Double Double (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m N H flat gf in May.
Nordic Hawk (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Prominent, travelling well over 3f out, wide off bend 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, 5th of 14, 8l behind The Grey Express (10-9) at Ballinrobe 2m nhf gd in Jun.
Sin E An Capaill (IRE) Dushyantor gelding out of Blackwater Mist.
Soaked Right Thru 25-1 (11-1) Raced wide and led, headed 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Johnny Mcgeeney (12-0) at Cork 2m nhf gf.
Taken Twice (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, close up 4f out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 5th and no extra 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 21, 18l behind Fantasy King (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 1f nhf gd in May.
Never Before (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, progress into mid-division 3f out, no impression straight, 8th of 15, 10l behind Har Will (11-1) at Limerick 2m N H flat gf.
Shamrogine (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Lost ground start, soon prominent, 2nd after halfway, weakened from 5f out, 10th of 14, 37l behind Beg La Eile (11-6) at Roscommon 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (Lady Riders) (4-7yo) gf.
Ziran (IRE) Alderbrook filly out of Jiran.
Windwood Bay (IRE) High-rise mare out of Wayward Bride.
Alderwood (IRE) Alderbrook gelding out of Clamit Falls.
Castle Cove 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 20th of 24, well behind Quantitativeeasing (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Apr '09.
Mister Music Man (IRE) Accordion gelding out of Site-leader.
