dwelt, chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 3rd 100 yards out and kept on one pace
soon led, pushed along and challenged entering straight, headed under 2f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong
dwelt, always rear, ridden and no extra over 1f out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression in 7th over 1f out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra
broke well, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, ran 7th, progress straight and 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
Dermot Weld won this three years sin succession from 2010 but Big Break was just denied by Sruthan last year. The pair have both been lightly raced this campaign and look certain to be thereabouts again with the winner taken to confirm the form on slightly worse terms. BRENDAN BRACKAN had Sruthan just behind when runner-up to Custom Cut in a similar event to this at Leopardstown and then failed to stay 1m2f on a return visit. He's a tough and generally consistent performer who can get back on the winning trail. Three-year-olds have won the last four of these so the younger generation have to be respected with the lightly-raced Some Spirit probably the best of them after a fine run behind Tested over the track and trip in August.
Sruthan (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Held up last, brought wide in 8th entering straight, ridden under 2f out, stayed on strongly 1 1/2f out, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Custom Cut (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and no extra under 2f out, 9th of 10, 28l behind Free Eagle (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep.
Leitir Mor (IRE) 100-1 (9-8) Soon led, 4 lengths advantage approaching straight, headed 1f out, no extra, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Bow Creek (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Big Break 5-2 (9-6) Raced mainly in 4th, improved into 2nd over 2f out and soon ridden, dropped to 3rd over 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Wannabe Better (9-6) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Slipper Orchid (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, ridden over 2f out, some progress into 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Seanie (9-0) at Listowel 7f hcp in Sep.
Booker 10-1 (9-0) Settled 4th early, 5th halfway, pushed along under 3f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 2l behind Afternoon Sunlight (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) in May.
Dark Skies (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Led and disputed, headed from 3f out, 4th 2f out, 7th 1f out, no extra, 7th of 9, 8l behind Brooch (8-12) at Killarney 1m Listed stks (1) gd in Aug.
Some Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and challenged over 2f out, headed under 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Tested (9-0) at Tipperary 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Harasiya (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up in 6th, 7th halfway, improved into 5th entering straight, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace 1f out, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Custom Cut (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Witches Brew (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) In rear, niggled along in 7th halfway, driven entering straight, some progress to 5th over 1f out, no further headway inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 10l behind Tested (9-0) at Tipperary 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
