Verdict

It was testing ground when Lord Erskine won at Roscommon back in May and Five Zeros is preferred having won at Down Royal a fortnight ago with Storm Steps back in third and Arctic Blaze and Fattan further behind. Derry Lad has decent claims on a third at the Curragh but SEQUOIASPIRIT won this off a similar mark last year under today’s rider and a better effort over hurdles last month suggests she can go close again.

Formwatch

Hi Stranger (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, kept on well, just failed, 2nd of 11, nk behind Loughisle Lady (11-2) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn gf in Jun.

Blackpoint (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) In rear, pushed along 2f out, checked entering straight, ridden and no impression, 12th of 18, 9 1/4l behind Clear Quartz (10-2) at Galway 1m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.

Storm Steps (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Edged slightly left from stalls, soon settled in mid-division and 8th halfway, good progress on outer from over 3f out, pushed along to challenge in 2nd from 2f out and soon ridden, dropped to 3rd and no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Five Zeros (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul.

El Tren (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Pushed along briefly early, soon chased leaders, 4th 3f out, on terms from 2f out, soon gained narrow lead, joined inside final furlong, headed closing stages and one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Crassus (10-2) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.

Arctic Blaze (IRE) 17-2 (9-8) Mid-division when short of room early, 7th halfway, pushed along on inner over 3f out and soon ridden, no impression in 5th from 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Five Zeros (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul.

Sequoiaspirit (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Towards rear, progress after 4th, closed 2 out where hampered, 4th last, kept on run-in to 2nd close home, not trouble winner, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Just Jacob (10-7) at Cork 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.

Five Zeros (IRE) 10-3 (9-1) Soon led, pushed along from 3f out and soon ridden, pressed from 2f out and kept on well inside final furlong, all out to just hold on, won at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul beating Dinamine (8-13) by ns, 10 ran.

Firstman (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, ridden after 3 out, slight mistake next, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, dist behind Telecon (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f mdn gd in Jul.

Cardinal Rule (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 16th of 20, 29 1/4l behind Isaiah (8-12) at Navan 1m 5f hcp gd in May.

Lord Erskine (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear early, headway on outer to track leaders at halfway, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, 3rd 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead near line, won at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in May beating Sionnach Eile (10-1) by hd, 15 ran.

Final Endeavour (IRE) 22-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, never a factor, 13th of 17, 9 1/4l behind Extensio (9-6) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.

Derry Lad (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Waited with in mid-division, headway from 3f out, 8th 2f out, pushed along over 1f out and 4th 1f out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, 3rd close home, 3rd of 17, 1l behind Extensio (9-6) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.

Whatcouldhavebeen (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, progress in 6th 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Scenic Look (9-9) at Galway 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.

Fattan 18-1 (9-4) Mid-division on inner early when short of room and hampered, soon dropped towards rear and in rear halfway, pushed along on outer and some progress from over 3f out, ridden and no impression in 6th from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Five Zeros (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul.

Bolero (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Slightly slow into stride and raced towards rear, 13th from halfway, briefly pushed along from 3f out, soon no impression and eased, 12th of 15, 18 1/2l behind Tronador (9-7) at Bellewstown 1m 6f hcp Yielding in Jun.

Balaclava (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Always rear, mistake 4th and detached, behind when pulled up before 5 out, at Naas 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.