soon led, travelling well before 2 out, asserted before last with slipped saddle, easily
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, improved to 6th halfway, pushed along 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, kept on same pace
in rear, 9th halfway, ridden in 8th after 3 out, eased before 2 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 3rd on outer, 4th halfway, 5th and slow jump 3 out, soon weakened to rear, eased before 2 out
rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden 2 out in 7th where not fluent, no impression after last
mid-division, 8th halfway, dropped to last after 3 out, eased before 2 out, never a factor
raced 4th on inner, 5th halfway, 4th 3 out, driven and weakened before 2 out, no extra
rear, slight mistake 3rd, slightly detached in last halfway, improved to 7th after 3 out, 6th 2 out, kept on after last, never on terms
raced 2nd, 3rd halfway, pushed along 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra before last
towards rear, 7th halfway, progress to 5th 3 out, pushed along to 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well after last, never nearer
settled 5th, progress to 2nd halfway, reminder 3 out, driven in 2nd before 2 out, kept on from 2 out but no impression leader
A very good prize has brought out a strong field with almost all at the peak of their form. Orgilgo Bay, a very close third in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, has been going well all summer on the Flat and over hurdles and Kevin Sexton's claim should aid his cause. MCKINLEY had Ridestan a couple of lengths behind when landing the opening race at this year's Galway Festival. The runner-up, who won on the Flat there three days later, has a fair chance of reversing the form on these terms but the winner is just given the verdict to continue his progress. Elishpour looked a much-improved performer at Sligo while the lightly-raced Shutter Island is on a hat-trick and can go well with just 5lb extra for last month's victory at Ballinrobe. Landau was eased right down on the run-in at Downpatrick and is the type to win plenty of races for Gordon Elliot so he can get into the frame in a race where nothing can be dismissed.
Orgilgo Bay (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Prominent and disputed early, chased leaders from after 2nd, 4th halfway, improved to challenge after 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden entering straight, kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Maxim Gorky (11-1) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Mckinley 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd and 4th, challenged last, led from 1f out, soon drifted left and stayed on well along stand's rail closing stages, won at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul beating Ridestan (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Indian Icon (FR) 16-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, no impression 2 out, 15th of 20, 26l behind Thomas Edison (10-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Ridestan (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always prominent, took keen hold early, pushed along after 2 out, 4th into straight, challenged last, soon every chance, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Mckinley (11-4) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul.
Elishpour (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th 3 out, 3rd travelling well next, led entering straight, soon, won at Sligo 2m mdn hdl in Aug beating If Not For You (11-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
Shutter Island (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 2 out, progress in 2nd before last, led run-in and kept on well, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo hcp hdl in Aug beating Lindenhurst (11-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Wood Breizh (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden in 3rd 3 out, 2nd briefly when mistake next, soon no impression, 5th of 7, 18l behind Pires (10-11) at Down Royal 2m hdl 0-123 gf in Aug.
Landau (IRE) 5-6fav (11-7) Reluctant leader early, headed after 1st and settled in 2nd, dropped to 3rd after 4th, improved into 2nd after 3 out, lead after last and soon asserted, eased towards finish, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gd in Aug beating Captain Carleton (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Irish Bulletin (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, soon ridden and no impression, one pace in 4th from before last, 4th of 15, 15l behind Ourbeautifuldream (11-5) at Cork 2m 3f mdn hdl gd in Aug.
Polished Rock (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up on inner, slightly impeded 2nd and pushed along briefly, under pressure after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, 7th into straight, no impression when hit last, one pace run-in, 7th of 8, 11l behind Mckinley (11-4) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul.
Annagh Haven (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, soon no impression, last of 8, 22l behind Mckinley (11-4) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul.
