ran 4th, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to challenge leader 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
soon led, pushed along entering straight, strongly pressed and ridden 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up 3rd, pushed along under 3f out, headway to lead narrowly 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly
HOBART has been raised 15lb for his demolition of a moderate field over 1m4f at Dundalk but could still turn out to be much better than a 92-rated handicapper. That was only his fourth start and his first beyond a mile and he can only get better. The opposition here is stronger with Benkei landing some nice bets when scoring impressively at Navan, with Hurricane Sky not far behind, and Botany Bay finding fast going against him at Fairyhouse after his victory at Down Royal. None of the remaining trio can be dismissed in an interesting contest.
Venezia (IRE) 9-2fav (10-0) Mid-division, ran freely, 8th halfway, progress entering straight and ridden in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Cailini Alainn (9-13) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in Jul.
What Lies Ahead (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Held up in rear, some progress into 6th 4 out, ridden and no impression next, 6th of 11, dist behind I'm All You Need (11-1) at Wexford 2m 4f gd in Jun.
Benkei (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, 5th early, progress into 2nd after 4f, challenged 4f out, led 3f out, soon pushed along, clear over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Navan 1m 5f hcp gf in May beating Esharaat (8-8) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Hurricane Sky (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden to go 4th under 2f out and 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, went 2nd on line, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind High Kicker (8-5) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in Jul.
Hobart (IRE) 10-11fav (9-5) Ran freely in 2nd early, disputed 2nd halfway, travelled well to lead approaching straight, ridden over 2f out, asserted 1 1/2f out, kept on well, eased closing stages, easily, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Jul beating Captain Carleton (10-4) by 11l, 4 ran.
Botany Bay (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) Tracked leader in 2nd on outer, led narrowly halfway, 2nd over 4f out, driven over 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression over 1f out, eased 150 yards out, last of 3, 7l behind Archangel Raphael (9-5) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f gf in Jul.
