chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in close 4th and not clear run 2 out, stayed on to challenge approaching last, strongly pressed winner in 2nd run-in, no extra last strides
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear early, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division early, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight
held up towards rear, headway into 5th entering straight, ridden 2 out, stayed on into close 4th last, no extra run-in
chased leader in 2nd, led after 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, soon disputed, narrowly headed run-in, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden to challenge and edged left 2 out, soon disputed, narrow lead run-in, strongly pressed and kept on well, rider lost iron close home (rider reported saddle slipped before 2 out)
led, headed after 3 out, close up and ridden 2 out, no extra before last
mid-division early, 9th halfway, ridden and no extra before straight
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression from 2 out
Tony Martin seems determined to land this nice prize as he is responsible for three of the 10 entries. Paul Carberry rides Osirixamix but he was pulled up in a pipe-opener on the Flat earlier this month and has to give 12lb to DARA TANGO. Ruby Walsh gets the leg up on the five-year-old who wasn't beaten far over 2m on the Polytrack on his latest start and will enjoy going back over hurdles. He gets the nod, though Princeton Plains would have every chance if reproducing the form of his sixth in the Galway Hurdle and he's gone close on the level since. Raggletagglegypsy and Cnoc Na Sioga are others to consider, while Shamiran and Lough Ferrib are capable on their day but The Pier is proving a little inconsistent and is returning from a summer break.
Princeton Plains (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) Mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden in 7th after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in without troubling leaders, 6th of 20, 12l behind Rebel Fitz (11-5) at Galway 2m hcp hdl sft in Aug.
Osirixamix (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Made all, slight mistake 2 out, asserted approaching last, kept on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Jan beating Lastoftheleaders (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Thomas Edison (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Waited with towards rear, saddle slipped after 5th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Baily Green (10-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl sft, 15 ran.
The Pier (IRE) 7-1fav (10-9) Towards rear, headway on outside to modest 5th approaching 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 17, 8l behind Gibb River (11-7) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Apr.
Raggletagglegypsy (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Waited with towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure from before 2 out, 5th of 15, 5l behind Baily Green (10-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl sft.
Shamiran (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always prominent, close 2nd halfway, disputed 4 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (95-123) (4yo+) hvy in Apr beating Weekend Millionair (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 25 ran.
Lough Ferrib (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, soon went clear, not fleunt at last and ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Get In There (9-11) at Galway 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Aug.
Louisville Lip (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Settled in rear of mid-division, closer when not fluent 3 out, ridden in 8th next and soon no extra, 10th of 15, 32l behind Golanbrook (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl hvy in Jun.
Cnoc Na Sioga (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Held up, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Primroseandblue (11-7) at Killarney 2m 6f nh nov hdl sft in Aug.
Dara Tango (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Held up, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd 2 out, travelled well in 2nd entering straight, ridden after last, no impression winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Top Madam (11-5) at Sligo 2m nh nov hdl sft in Aug.
