NAAS 14:20

Non Runners: IMAGINE (FR). Hurdles: 7.

Time: 5m 5.4s Closing Sectional: (4.5f): 68s (101.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 102%

A Grade 1 novice that suffered from the omission of both hurdles in the straight due to the effects of a low sun, though the pair with the strongest form coming into the race - from the Royal Bond won by the unbeaten Marine Nationale - still filled the first 2 spots, Champ Kiely given a canny front-running ride.

CHAMP KIELY (IRE) attracted late support and resumed winning ways, reversing Royal Bond form - when ridden much more patiently - with the runner-up, certainly settling better than at Fairyhouse; dictated, jumped fine (albeit occasionally to the right), typically travelled strongly, joined briefly 2 out (usual 4 out), shaken up early in straight, driven out; had the run of the race and wouldn't be a sure-thing to beat Irish Point again should the pair meet for a third time this season, but he'll certainly be worth his place in something like the Ballymore, a couple of recent winners of this race (Envoi Allen in 2020 and Bob Olinger a year later) following up in that Cheltenham event, more likely given his keen-going style to be tackling that event than the Albert Bartlett.

IRISH POINT (FR) upped in trip, ran to a similar level as when filling the same spot in last month's Royal Bond and, given how the race developed, was possibly inconvenienced more than the winner from the omission of hurdles in the straight (had finished more than 4 lengths in front of Champ Kiely at Fairyhouse); chased leaders, not fluent 2 out (usual 4 out), went second home turn, ridden early in straight, kept on, pulled clear of remainder; he's still got some room for improvement in the jumping department, but should be winning a graded event before much longer.

DAWN RISING (IRE) ran at least as well in defeat as when winning the Monksfield 6 weeks earlier, off the bridle some way out (certainly before the first 2) and again doing his best work late on, likely to progress further over a longer trip; mid-division, ridden 2 out (usual 4 out), met some trouble entering straight, kept on well final 1f, took third final 50 yds.

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN (IRE) upped in trip, shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, forced to make his ground from further back than ideal and losing out on a place only late on, still on an upward curve; waited with, headway entering straight, hung left briefly, went third 1f out, effort flattened out.

GRANGECLARE WEST (IRE) lacked the experience of his rivals and couldn't build sufficiently on the promise shown on hurdling debut 6 weeks earlier, losing his unbeaten record in fairly tame fashion, though in mitigation he was found to be blowing hard post-race, also reported to have coughed a few times; raced along inside in mid-division, took closer order briefly around halfway, ridden entering straight, threatened briefly, weakened 1f out.

AFFORDALE FURY (IRE) wasn't good enough up in grade, also possibly still feeling the effects of a bad experience at Navan 6 weeks earlier; in rear, made early errors, ridden when not fluent last (usual 3 out), short of room entering straight, made no impression.

KALANISI STAR back down in trip, was again found out in better company; chased leader, ridden home turn, weakened early in straight.

MONBEG PARK (IRE) down in trip, needs his sights lowering; held up, not fluent third, ridden home turn, lost touch early in straight, pulled up.