mid-division early, pushed along briefly 2nd, 10th approaching 4th where slight mistake, pushed along again from 4 out, no impression into straight, kept on without threatening run-in
led, joined approaching 2nd, led again before 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, narrowly headed straight, slightly impeded between last 2, kept on without matching principals after
soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching 4th, pushed along approaching straight, no impression and one pace from before 2 out
chased leaders, a little keen, not fluent and unseated rider 3rd
soon chased leaders, 6th approaching 4th, chased winner and not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in
took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 4th where slight mistake, closed up on inner approaching straight, soon gained narrow lead, joined and slight mistake 2 out, quickly headed, kept on without matching front pair run-in
prominent, on terms approaching 2nd, headed before 4 out, under pressure 3 out and lost position, soon weakened
soon chased leaders, 5th approaching 4th where slight mistake, no impression into straight, soon no extra
waited with, 9th approaching 4th, no impression and one pace from before 2 out where slight mistake
waited with, soon towards rear, pushed along from 4 out and progress, chased leaders and kept on without matching principals straight
waited with, soon towards rear, no impression from 3 out
mid-division early, 7th approaching 4th, improved to challenge from before 2 out travelling smoothly, soon on terms, quickly led and edged left, stayed on well to assert run-in
mid-division early, 8th approaching 4th, under pressure from 3 out, no impression into straight, not fluent 2 out and no extra
waited with in rear, slight mistake 4th, pushed along briefly from 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, improved to chase leaders and kept on same pace from before 2 out where slight mistake
A lucrative handicap and a very competitive field. Joseph O'Brien runs two and the lightly-raced Top Moon will attract attention on his handicap debut after a facile victory in a Kilbeggan maiden. His stable companion GARDENS OF BABYLON, placed in Grade 1 juvenile races at Leopardstown and Cheltenham, was well beaten in the Galway Hurdle but it wouldn't be a shock to see him bounce back in his own age group. Lethal Steps is tough and consistent and arrives in winning form after beating Morosini at Galway as does Zoffalee, who beat older horses when completing a double at Tramore. Nibiru has been well beaten on the Flat since landing a Ballinrobe maiden while Blackhillsofdakota's victory at Tramore has been devalued by the subsequent defeat of the runner-up.
Gardens of Babylon (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 5th and slightly hampered on bend at halfway, pushed along and lost place after 3 out, no extra, 14th of 18, 16 3/4l behind Tudor City (11-0) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Aug.
Hannon (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) A little slow into stride, rear of mid-division, some headway after halfway, pushed along from 3f out, chased leaders on outer into straight, moderate 2nd 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong without troubling winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Quote (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 5f mdn gf in Aug.
Lethal Steps 10-1 (11-7) In touch, 5th after 4th, progress after 3 out, slightly hampered before 2 out, 3rd 2 out, impeded before last, improved to lead final 150 yards, driven out, won at Galway 2m 1f gd in Jul beating Morosini (11-7) by 2l, 14 ran.
Zoffalee (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders early, not go with leader from 4th, closed to chase clear leader from 6th, improved to challenge approaching 2 out, soon on terms, quickly in front, stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Aug beating Lady In Lavender (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Top Moon (FR) 1-3fav (11-2) Prominent, took keen hold, slight mistake 2nd, 2nd halfway, closed on leader before 3 out, led before 2 out, pushed along to assert when slight mistake last, readily went clear run-in, unextended, won at Kilbeggan 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Aug beating Zayriyan (11-2) by 11l, 8 ran.
Morosini (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Chased leader, 6th after 4th, slightly hampered before 2 out, 5th 2 out, headway before last to strongly challenge leader, led narrowly run-in, headed final 150 yards, ridden and kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Lethal Steps (11-7) at Galway 2m 1f gd in Jul.
Rip Rocks Paddy Ok (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th before 2 out, moderate 4th before last, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Construct (11-2) at Sligo 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Flindt (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 5th halfway, lost place 4f out and dropped to rear entering straight, no extra, last of 11, 15 1/2l behind Shamad (11-2) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Nibiru (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride and pushed along early, 9th halfway, pushed along entering straight and no extra from over 2f out, eased, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Davids Charm (9-2) at Killarney 1m 6f hcp sft in Aug.
Blackhillsofdakota (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, hampered 3 out, improved to chase leader after 3 out, ridden to dispute before 2 out, narrow lead and slightly awkward 2 out, kept on well from last to assert run-in, won at Tramore 2m mdn gd in Aug beating Frankincense (11-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Coral Blue (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th next, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening in 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Zoffalee (10-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Aug.
Razoul (IRE) 5-6fav (11-1) Prominent, mistake 2 out, soon on terms travelling smoothly, led approaching straight, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Kilbeggan 2m mdn gd in Jul beating Monkeylou (11-6) by 10l, 14 ran.
Rocky Shores (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Not much room briefly early, soon chased leaders, no extra approaching straight, 12th of 18, dist behind Buildmeupbuttercup (11-7) at Galway 1m 4f mdn gd in Jul.
Ashqar (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, 13th before 6th, progress before 2 out, no impression in moderate 9th after 2 out, kept on run-in, never nearer, 7th of 16, 24 3/4l behind Born By The Sea (11-4) at Killarney 2m 1f mdn gd in Aug.
