chased leaders, 4th 3f out, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division on outer, rider briefly adjusted an iron at halfway, 8th 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders on inner, ridden under 3f out, 6th 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, 3rd 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, weakened
dwelt, towards rear, progress under 3f out, briefly short of room in mid-division 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, soon weakened
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead travelling well 2 1/2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong
slowly into stride and pushed along early, soon mid-division, 6th 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt, mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3f out
rear of mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression
dwelt, towards rear, ridden in moderate 10th 2f out, 6th 1f out, no impression
dwelt, always behind, never a factor
Premier handicaps here are always very competitive and this one is no exception. Top-weight Halimi won over 1m4f here a year ago and followed-up at the Galway Festival a week later. He's 10lb higher than his victory at Naas in October but should give a good account. Bucky Larson has been in fine form but hasn't proved he stays this far while Kasperenko is probably better over further. WINNER TAKES ITALL (NAP) absolutely tanked up in a Gowran maiden, giving the impression he's progressed into a smart performer. A winner over hurdles, he could have been let in lightly on a mark of 88 and gets the nod with his rider's claim a major plus. Lethal Power has run well in tough handicaps here and made an excellent debut for his new trainer at Gowran while Rayounpour was impressive over 1m4f at Cork where he led at this trip. Raphael won a minor handicap at Killarney and this is tougher while Future Proof would do better on testing ground.
Halimi (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, took closer order under 3f out, ridden under 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Patrick Sarsfield (9-13) at Navan 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Charcor (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Chased leader on outer, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out where hampered, one paced final furlong, 8th of 16, 9 1/4l behind Rayounpour (8-6) at Cork 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Bashiyr (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and pressed leaders 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, hampered over 1f out, last of 17, 14l behind Bowerman (9-7) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Jun.
Bucky Larson (IRE) 9-2fav (9-6) Towards rear, pushed along and some headway on outer 2f out, 5th and ridden 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Nebo (9-11) at Cork 1m hcp gd in Jul.
Kasperenko 13-2 (11-5) A little slow into stride, soon mid-division and off pace, took closer order halfway, closed behind horses straight, no impression when not much room inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Tandem (11-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f gd in Jul.
Winner Takes Itall (FR) 15-8 (9-9) Soon tracked leaders, 5th approaching halfway, closed travelling smoothly straight, led over 1f out, quickly asserted and stayed on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f mdn gd in Jun beating Yenillik (9-9) by 4 1/4l, 15 ran.
Lethal Power (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Soon led, pushed along straight, strongly pressed and headed inside final furlong, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Mirann (10-3) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gd in Jun.
Rayounpour (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) In touch, 3rd halfway, good headway to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, asserted final furlong, kept on well, won at Cork 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul beating War Diary (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Major Reward (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear and detached early, closer halfway, some headway on outer early straight and 6th 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Princess Zoe (10-2) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Raphael (GER) 22-1 (9-12) Chased leader, moderate 2nd halfway, ridden to close over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, press leader close home and led last strides, won at Killarney 1m hcp gd in Jul beating Mary Salome (9-12) by shd, 9 ran.
Roibeard (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Chased leaders on inner, short of room briefly 2f out, soon ridden, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 4l behind Njord (10-0) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gd in Jun.
Akhlaaq 18-1 (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along early straight, ridden over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 5 1/2l behind Rocky Blue (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Future Proof (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, a little keen, progress from before 6th, 2nd before 2 out where left in lead, soon clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Royal Rhythm (11-0) by 16l, 14 ran.
Freescape 33-1 (10-5) Prominent and led after 1f, pushed along in straight, ridden and headed 1f out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Rocky Blue (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Hamley (FR) 28-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden into 8th 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Elizabethofaragon (8-6) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp fll Yielding in Jul.
