mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened
chased leaders, ridden in 2nd 2f out, 5th 1f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden in 6th under 2f out, soon no extra
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
rear of mid-division, headway into 5th travelling well on outer 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
slowly into stride, in rear, progress 2f out, soon ridden, 7th 1f out, kept on without reaching leaders in 3rd close home
STANHOPE carried a huge weight to victory over the track and trip last week. He has a 6lb penalty in a better race but Joey Sheridan's claim more than takes care of the extra. He earlier finished over four lengths behind Strong Johnson at the Curragh but didn't get the run of the race and an 8lb turnaround in the weights with the winner, who has since completed a double in a premier handicap on the same track, can allow him to turn the tables. Tide Of Time was around three lengths behind the selection here last week but had beaten Strong Johnson at Naas in November so has to enter calculations along with Celtic Manor, a close third in last week's race on just his second start for new connections after arriving from the UK where he won twice. Nullifier led for a long way on his comeback over 6f at the Curragh and is another to consider in a wide-open handicap.
Primo Uomo (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden under 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Strong Johnson (8-9) at Curragh 5f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Cityman 20-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened, 12th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Strong Johnson (8-9) at Curragh 5f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Strong Johnson (IRE) 5-2fav (8-9) Disputed lead, ridden 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, led at line, won at Curragh 5f hcp Yielding in Jun beating Jungle Jane (9-2) by shd, 14 ran.
Mokhalad 12-1 (9-13) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, 8th 1f out, no extra, 7th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Lord Rapscallion (10-2) at Bellewstown 1m hcp Yielding in Jul.
Stanhope 7-1 (10-2) Broke well to lead, soon headed and tracked leader, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Navan 5f hcp Yielding in Jul beating Miacomet (9-9) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Master Matt 4-1fav (9-12) Led and disputed, ridden 1 1/2f out, narrow lead 1f out, kept on final furlong, headed last 50 yards, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Mokhalad (9-11) at Naas 6f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Nullifier (IRE) 16-5 (9-8) Raced far side and led that group, on terms overall over 2f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 3l behind Big Gossey (9-6) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Tide Of Time 9-2 (10-0) Dwelt, soon towards rear, progress 2f out, effort over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression, kept on same pace under 1f out, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Stanhope (10-2) at Navan 5f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Celtic Manor (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Towards rear, pushed along and progress on inner 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Stanhope (10-2) at Navan 5f hcp Yielding in Jul.
My Laureate (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Led and raced alone on far rail, ridden and pressed 1 1/2f out, headed final 150 yards, soon no extra, 6th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Make A Challenge (9-10) at Naas 5f lst stks (1) Yielding in Jun.
