tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, soon ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in
tracked leaders, ran freely, 4th halfway, no extra after 2 out
towards rear, pushed along and some progress 2 out, no impression in 5th and not fluent last, kept on one pace
towards rear, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 9th 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, 3rd halfway, progress 2 out and led approaching last, kept on well run-in
mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along straight and no impression in 6th before last, no extra
ran 5th, pushed along straight, no impression in 4th and not fluent last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, dropped to rear and not fluent 2 out, no extra
towards rear, progress on outer approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
led, ran freely, headed entering straight, soon no extra, weakened before last
Macnicholson is penalised for his two victories in the spring but arrives in good form having just failed to concede Portrade 13lb in a Listowel handicap last month. Cillian's Return made a successful hurdling debut in a maiden on this track in May and had a recent run on the Flat to put him straight though this can go to DRACO. Aidan O'Brien's charge has twice seen the back of the progressive Most Peculiar recently but did manage a facile victory at Bellewstown and is improving enough to gain his second victory over timber. Carrigmoorna Rock landed a point-to-point and a bumper and made an impressive start over timber at Clonmel so is another to consider in a race where nothing can be ruled out.
Macnicholson (IRE) 7-1fav (10-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight and progress into 3rd before last, 2nd run-in and kept on under pressure, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Portrade (10-0) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Cillian's Return (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, closer 3 out, improved to lead approaching 2 out where mistake and challenged, travelled well in lead before last, ridden run-in and kept on strongly, easily, won at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl in May beating Poetic Lord (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 20 ran.
Draco 5-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, 4th 5 out, progress in 3rd before 2 out, 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, ridden entering straight, mistake last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Most Peculiar (11-8) at Galway 2m 2f nh nov hdl gf in Sep.
Lean And Keen (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Raced in 3rd, closed up 3 out, challenged next and soon led, stayed on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m nh nov hdl gd in Sep beating Pyromaniac (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Rich Coast 5-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden in 4th 2 out, 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Shield (11-12) at Galway 2m nh nov hdl gd in Jul.
Queen Alphabet (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Led, slight mistake 2nd, ridden 2 out and pecked slightly, headed before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind The Plan Man (10-13) at Listowel 2m hdl gd in Sep.
Carrigmoorna Rock (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Soon tracked leaders, travelling smoothly approaching straight, challenged 2 out where on terms, going best and led before last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl in May beating Hell Cat Maggie (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 17 ran.
Princess Leya (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led early, soon raced in 2nd, briefly tight for room on inner approaching 4th, slight mistake 6th, jumped left 4 out, soon 3rd, no impression approaching straight, dropped to moderate 4th and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Pink Hat (11-9) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hdl gd in Jun.
Storm Away (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on inner, progress into 2nd travelling well after 4 out, left in front next, ridden from 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl gf in Aug beating What Lies Ahead (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
West Montan (IRE) 5-4 (11-0) Made all, ridden and challenged entering straight, kept on strongly run-in, won at Galway 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Waver (11-7) by 3l, 6 ran.
