led, pushed along over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, stayed on well to regain lead close home
prominent, pushed along to challenge over 1 1/2f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong
went left and bumped with rival start, chased leaders, pushed along from halfway, dropped to last from over 2f out, weakened and virtually pulled up
prominent, pushed along under 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, headed and kept on without matching winner close home
bumped soon after start, chased leaders, pushed along from 2f out, soon one pace
prominent, pushed along over 1 1/2f out, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
impeded start, in rear, closed from halfway, pushed along under 2f out to chase leaders, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
MAKE A CHALLENGE is generally consistent, especially on this track where he's won three times, so it was disappointing to see him run poorly in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes here last month. He's won twice at Listed level since coming from the handicap ranks so gets a chance to show that latest running all wrong. Buffer Zone finished in front of him in the Greenlands and is another who loves it around here having won a premier handicap in September. He looks the one to take advantage if the selection doesn't fire again. Son Of Rest dead-heated for the Ayr Gold Cup in 2018 but has only had two subsequent starts while Urban Beat has finished behind the selection in three of his last five starts.
Make A Challenge (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, 6th 1f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Speak In Colours (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Jun.
Buffer Zone 7-1 (9-5) In rear, early, headway into mid-division at halfway, 5th 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, disputed 2nd inside final furlong, kept on well, dropped to 3rd at line, 3rd of 9, nk behind Speak In Colours (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding in Jun.
Flash Gordon (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) A little awkward leaving stalls, chased leaders, 10th over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, ran on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 5l behind Big Baby Bull (8-13) at Curragh 7f hcp gd in Jun.
Urban Beat (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Disputed lead, ridden 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, headed and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, hd behind Strong Johnson (8-9) at Curragh 5f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Verhoyen 28-1 (9-6) Prominent, soon close up and disputed on outer, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 16th of 18, 12 3/4l behind Big Baby Bull (8-13) at Curragh 7f hcp gd in Jun.
Wheels On Fire (FR) 11-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden to close 1 1/2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 16, 4 1/4l behind Punita Arora (9-0) at Naas 5f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.
Woody Creek 9-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Laugh A Minute (9-10) at Limerick 7f gd in Jun.
Piece of Paradise (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Took keen hold soon steadied back, held up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Rose Of Kildare (9-0) at Ayr 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Son Of Rest 6-1 (9-7) Waited with, headway behind horses 2f out, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong, 7th of 15, 6l behind Sergei Prokofiev (9-0) at Navan 6f lst stks (1) gd in Mar.
