mid-division, 7th halfway, progress 2 1/2f out, ridden into 3rd 2f out, kept on into 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong, lost 2nd at line
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and lost place on inner when short of room and hampered 2 1/2f out, soon dropped towards rear and no extra, kept on one pace straight
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, some late progress into 6th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, 6th halfway, progress in 3rd 2 1/2f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, led entering straight, kept on well final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden into 5th 2f out, 4th entering straight, stayed on into 3rd under 1f out, kept on final furlong to 2nd at line
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden when short of room and hampered 2 1/2f out, under pressure in 7th 2f out, no impression in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd 2 1/2f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra entering straight
led and disputed, led 3f out, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed entering straight, no extra in 4th inside final furlong
ROCK CRITIC (NAP) won this way back in 2011 when he completed a double at the meeting. He returned after a long absence to finish a short-head behind I'll Be Your Clown at Sligo and looks certain to make a bold bid to go one better so gets the vote. The lightly-raced Champagne Or Water landed a very tough handicap at the Curragh and, though 9lb higher, is progressing fast enough to give a good account as is Princess Aloof, who has twice finished runner-up over hurdles since occupying the same spot at Leopardstown in April. Almadaa had been in fine form at Dundalk in the spring before reverting to Turf and making all over 7f at Gowran a month ago. He won't be helped by an 8lb rise but is tough and will prove difficult to pass.
Champagne Or Water (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, improved to lead under 2f out and soon ridden, pressed inside final furlong and kept on well close home, won at Curragh 1m hcp fll Good - Yielding in Jul beating Gallope (8-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Sophie's World (IRE) 4-7fav (11-0) Soon chased leaders in 5th, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, slightly impeded 2 out, 3rd approaching straight, soon ridden to challenge, slightly impeded before last, every chance run-in, not match winner,, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Havana Dancer (11-7) at Punchestown 2m mdn gd in Jun.
Specific Gravity (FR) 8-11fav (10-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, driven over 2f out, dropped to 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, last of 6, 12 1/4l behind Zero Euro (9-5) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f hvy in Jul.
Princess Aloof (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Soon held up, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th on outer 2f out, closer 1f out, kept on well final furlong, shared 3rd at line and just held for 2nd, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind On A Pedestal (9-0) at Killarney 1m 3f hcp fll Yielding in Jul.
Shalamzar (FR) 20-1 (8-10) Dwelt and in rear, no impression under hands and heels from 2f out, never a factor, 16th of 19, 14 1/4l behind Hasanour (9-2) at Curragh 1m hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Coillte Cailin (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway on inside over 3f out, ridden and went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Save The Bees (8-10) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Almadaa 16-1 (9-11) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, pressed and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on best, won at Gowran Park 7f hcp gd in Jun beating Cruidin (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Cairdiuil (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Mid-division, 5th halfway, driven 3f out, weakened under 2f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 12, 11l behind Reckless Lad (9-7) at Killarney 1m hcp gd in Jul.
Camlann (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Dwelt and carried left out of stalls, soon raced in 9th, pushed along on outer into straight, no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 13, 16 3/4l behind Gussy Goose (9-0) at Gowran Park 7f mdn gf in Jun.
Roachdale House (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, soon settled in mid-division on inside, pushed along halfway, ridden and lost place over 1f out, no threat after, 7th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Sirius Prospect (9-9) at Kempton 7f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Rock Critic (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Soon settled 4th, 5th under 4f out, 4th 2f out, driven into 3rd entering straight, ridden over 1f out and progress to 2nd, kept on well final furlong to strongly challenge leader, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind I'll Be Your Clown (9-10) at Sligo 1m 2f gd in Jun.
Sadler's Mark 12-1 (9-8) Raced 3rd on inner, 4th halfway, 3rd 2 1/2f out, driven over 2f out and dropped to 5th, ridden 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 10 1/4l behind Zero Euro (9-5) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f hvy in Jul.
