pushed along from stalls and disputed lead early, briefly headed after 4f, soon regained outright lead from 5f out, pushed along from 2f out , ridden and 3 lengths clear from 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably
towards rear early, closer in 4th from halfway, pushed along on outer from 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, weakened to rear inside final furlong
prominent and disputed lead early, headed after 4f and soon carried wide, 3rd from halfway, pushed along from 3f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
mid-division early, dropped towards rear and 6th from halfway, pushed along in rear from 3f out, ridden no impression over 1f out, kept on into moderate 5th inside final furlong
slightly impeded from stalls, soon settled in mid-division, 5th from halfway, pushed along from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
raced in rear, pushed from 3f out and soon ridden in 6th, no impression in 4th from 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong
went slightly left from stalls, prominent and disputed lead early, led after 4f before soon running wide off bend and headed, 2nd from halfway, ridden from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out
This looks a very tight handicap. South East is returning from a long break and his maiden victory at Listowel came in very testing conditions but Nibiru won first time out at Naas in October and wasn't disgraced in a Group 3 at Leopardstown a fortnight later. Rickrack was narrowly beaten in a Curragh handicap in May but couldn't handle the step up to Listed company at Killarney last month while Elm Grove was having her first start for Madeleine Tylicki when landing a strong Ballinrobe handicap and is 7lb higher. NEAR KETTERING, a winner for Luca Cumani last summer, has improved with every run for Johnny Murtagh and was always travelling nicely when landing a Limerick handicap in June. He's up 5lb but can go in again. Khalaab made a winning start on heavy going at Leopardstown in April and ran well in similar conditions at the Curragh the following month while Nimitz is only 2lb higher than when scoring on fast ground at Navan.
Rickrack (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Soon led, joined 2f out, soon headed, no extra final furlong, 9th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Bella Estrella (9-9) at Killarney 1m lst fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Elm Grove (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear and 8th from halfway, closer in 6th from 3f out, pushed along from 2f out and soon went 3rd, ridden to dispute lead from 1f out and kept on best to lead close home, won at Ballinrobe 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Jul beating California Lad (8-4) by nk, 9 ran.
Near Kettering 5-2 (9-12) Led briefly, soon chased leaders, settled mid-division after 3f, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2 1/2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Limerick 1m 3f hcp gd in Jun beating Azzuri (9-10) by 1l, 13 ran.
Nibiru (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Soon towards rear, headway over 3f out, no impression in 6th 1f out and kept on same pace without threatening, 6th of 9, 7l behind Flag Of Honour (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding in Oct.
Khalaab (USA) 5-1 (9-4) A little keen, tracked leaders on inner, soon 3rd, pushed along from 2f out, soon switched left, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Hand On Heart (8-13) at Curragh 1m hvy in May.
Nimitz (IRE) 5-2jfav (9-6) Towards rear, 5th 4f out, good headway between horses to 2nd over 2f out, led narrowly and ridden over 1f out, kept on well, driven out, won at Navan 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul beating New Direction (9-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
South East (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Soon prominent, 2nd approaching halfway, pushed along approaching straight, dropped to 3rd over 1f out and no impression, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Guessthebill (9-7) at Roscommon 7f hvy in Sep.
