tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 3rd entering straight, no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd when fell 2 out
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out
chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
made all, went clear from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last
held up, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th entering straight, kept on to go 2nd from last
Dermot Weld is bidding for his 26th top trainer title at this week's Festival and had an astonishing 17 winners at the fixture last year. He's won this four times in recent years though last season's short-priced favourite was beaten and that could be the fate of Train Of Thought. He'll have been aimed at this for his hurdling debut but didn't look overly enthusiastic on his latest Flat start at Dundalk where he was equipped with first-time blinkers. Discoteca, a useful performer for Andrew Balding in the UK, has gone from strength-to-strength and will take some beating though his penalties give him a stiff task and SONAPOUR is handed the vote. He was a bit unfortunate when runner-up at Sligo but had luck on his side when scoring at Wexford. He's a progressive type and can get Davy Condon off to a winning start. Faustina Pius is no forlorn hope with her allowances as she appeared to be unlucky at Killarney and is making rapid process but Dysios looks to have more to do.
Discoteca 11-8fav (11-2) Settled 4th, slight mistakes 5th, 6th and 5 out, 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and joined leader last when slight mistake, disputed run-in, ahead on line, won at Bellewstown 2m 4f hdl sft beating Dibella (10-13) by hd, 5 ran.
Dysios (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, 8th halfway, headway into 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression in 4th entering straight, kept on one pace, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 39l behind Loch Ard (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl hvy in Apr.
Sonapour (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along from 3 out, ridden to dispute before last where left in front, driven out and kept on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Jun beating Why But Why (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
George Fernbeck 10-3 (11-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, close up 4f out, 3rd 3f out, ridden and no extra over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Polish Partisan (11-7) at Sligo 2m 2f N H flat gd.
Long Time Coming (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra before last, 10th of 25, 19l behind Darroun (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Jan.
Summers King (IRE) Desert King gelding out of Little Fox.
Train Of Thought (IRE) 10-11fav (9-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, swished tail and no impression winner final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Sli Na Fiarana (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in May (flat).
Faustina Pius (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 6th approaching 4 out, challenged and on terms when slight mistake 2 out, awkward last and rider without iron run-in, kept on well, headed near finish, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Shamkhal (11-2) at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl gd in May.
