raced in 3rd, took closer order in 2nd from 2 out, improved to dispute lead and pushed along before last, headed run-in and soon no extra, slightly squeezed for room close home
led, joined before last and soon pushed along, rider lost whip run-in and headed inside final 100 yards, no extra and dropped to 3rd close home
chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 2 out and soon dropped to 3rd, rider lost whip before last and soon improved to dispute lead, pushed along to lead on outer inside final 100 yards, kept on well close to assert home
raced in rear, went 4th from halfway, not fluent 3 out and again 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
raced in 4th, dropped to rear from halfway, pushed along and no impression from 2 out
WONDER LAISH isn't the force of old but should still have enough in the tank to beat these. The winner of major handicaps on the Flat and over timber in his day, he was tried over 2m4f for the first time at Cork and didn't quite get home but he's still rated 139 and has his rider's claim is a plus. Eclair De Beaufeu looks the main threat even though he hasn't won since scoring over fences in February last year. He was only beaten a couple of lengths in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Play The Game, three times a winner over hurdles, has generally raced in tough handicaps but hasn't been in the best of form with Fairyhouse maiden winner Zanavi looking best of the remainder who all have plenty to find.
Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division and 14th from halfway, pushed along from 4 out, ridden and no extra from next, 16th of 20, 33 1/2l behind Saldier (11-10) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Play The Game (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) In rear, progress before 2 out, no impression before last, weakened run-in, 12th of 17, 19 1/4l behind Arcadian Sunrise (11-6) at Galway 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Wonder Laish 13-8 (11-2) Settled behind leaders, mainly 4th, closer 3 out, ridden to press leaders on outer 2 out, under pressure in 3rd last, kept on run-in, just held for 2nd at line, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Nibblers Charm (11-2) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Jul.
Adnap (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Mid-division early, not fluent 1st and 2nd, soon towards rear, ridden into 8th after 3 out, no impression in 7th 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Staging Post (12-0) at Wexford 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Jun.
Tonkinese 11-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, not fluent 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Princely Conn (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Zanavi (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division and 8th from halfway, took closer order on outer from 3 out, not fluent next and ridden, soon no extra, 8th of 12, 25 1/4l behind Farout (11-9) at Galway 2m gd in Jul.
Hammersmith (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Disputed, 2nd before 5th, 3rd after 3 out (normal 4 out), lost place and ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 18, 17l behind Purple Mountain (11-7) at Galway 2m 1f mdn gd in Jul.
