tracked leader in 2nd, soon clear of remainder, came back to field from over 6f out, challenged and on terms over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
waited with, soon raced in moderate 5th, closed from over 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, kept on without matching principals after
in rear and well off pace, closed from over 6f out, effort from over 2f out, soon one pace under pressure
chased leaders and off pace, closed from over 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong
chased leaders and off pace, closed from over 6f out, travelling smoothly over 2f out, soon on terms, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
soon led, clear of remainder with 2nd, came back to field from over 6f out, joined from over 2f out, soon headed and weakened
A Grade 3 winner over hurdles and fences and also successful in a bumper, all eyes here will be on Listen Dear, despite the lack of a recent run. But SOLE PRETENDER could offer more value after another terrific run in the Galway Hurdle. Norman Lee’s gelding has won five of his eight career starts and is developing into a useful performer. Botani has switched to Colm Murphy having won a Kilbeggan bumper in April and Buttons And Bows has won twice over timber.
Sole Pretender (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2 out and dropped to 3rd before last, ridden and no impression run-in, 5th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Tudor City (11-0) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Aug.
Beat Of The Sea (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Waited with, soon towards rear, not fluent 4th, slightly impeded 3 out, soon no impression, 17th of 20, 28 3/4l behind Bercasa (11-6) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Botani (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, soon chased leaders, 6th from 3rd, slight mistake 5th, closed up approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 7th of 18, 33l behind Mr Everest (11-12) at Galway 2m 1f mdn gd in Aug.
Buttons And Bows (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division early, some headway from before 2 out, soon one pace, 10th of 20, 11 3/4l behind Bercasa (11-6) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Jaime Sommers (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Led, joined approaching 6th, soon headed, on terms 4 out, led approaching straight, headed 3 out, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 5, 6 1/4l behind Pravalaguna (10-7) at Cork 3m Yielding in Aug.
Listen Dear (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 6th, moderate 2nd and slight mistake 4 out, no extra in 3rd early straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Ballyoisin (11-7) at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Court Martialed (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, ridden into 8th after 2 out, no impression last, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Dorans River (11-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp gd in Jul.
