Aidan O'Brien has won this four times in the last six years and has two entered this time. Landofhopeandglory made a successful debut on ground with give at Galway where he beat six rivals but all of them have been beaten subsequently. Dancing On Air landed a Gowran nursery over 7f, where she had Fit For Function well beaten, and started a short price next time at Killarney but was put in her place by Jefferson Davis. Mint Chai is well suited by the prevailing conditions as he showed at Bellewstown while Clon Rocket, a winner at Sligo last month, didn't get going until too late over 7f at Tipperary. SEVENLEFT has been running well on quicker going and may have been a bit unfortunate last time at Gowran. This longer trip and testing ground looks just what's required and Pat Smullen can steer him home. None of the remainder can be dismissed in what looks a tricky nursery.
Landofhopeandglory (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, travelled well to challenge entering straight, pushed along to lead 150 yards out, kept on, won at Galway 1m mdn Yielding in Aug beating Alaskan Son (9-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Mint Chai (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 4th 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1f out, led under 1f out, stayed on well close home, won at Bellewstown 1m mdn sft in Aug beating Ample Sufficiency (9-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Fit For Function 8-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon no extra, 11th of 12, at Gowran Park 7f gd in Aug.
Clon Rocket (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) In rear, pushed along approaching straight, not clear run 2f out, ridden to go 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Taisce Naisiunta (8-10) at Tipperary 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Dancing On Air (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, in 4th, pushed along in 5th 3f out, went moderate 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Jefferson Davis (9-2) at Killarney 1m gd in Aug.
Sevenleft (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th 3f out, ridden in 4th under 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening to fo 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Reddot Roman (9-5) at Gowran Park 7f mdn gd in Sep.
Emily Square (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, disputed inside final furlong, edged ahead final 100 yards, kept on well close home, won at Killarney 1m mdn fll gd in Aug beating Hot To The Touch (9-0) by 1l, 5 ran.
Verbosity (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Prominent and led after 1f, pushed along and headed entering straight, under pressure and no impression in 3rd 150 yards out, no extra, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Simannka (9-0) at Galway 7f mdn fll Yielding in Sep.
Hollywood Road (IRE) 9-2fav (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed 1f out, no extra and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Jefferson Davis (9-2) at Killarney 1m gd in Aug.
Set To Fire (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, progress on outer 2f out, went 5th 1f out, headway into 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well, just failed, 2nd of 13, hd behind Lass Vega (9-1) at Gowran Park 7f hcp gd in Sep.
