mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, kept on same pace
made all, ridden and challenged 2 out, strongly pressed last, kept on well run-in
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, pressed leader last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th and no extra 3 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th and no impression 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 7th 3 out, no extra and kept on one pace
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden in 8th 3 out, kept on to 6th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace
FINGAL ROCK will take the world of beating on her first start since making progress and falling in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown in April. While there are some interesting rivals none have that level of form and Peter Casey's filly looks a cut above. Hail Caesar ran on snow at Saint Moritz in February and just a year ago took on Cavalryman in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. He's a very useful recruit to hurdling and one to note for the future, a remark that also applies to the very consistent flat performer Blue Ridge Lane, though he hasn't been out since November. Echua and Gracchus are in cracking form but face stiff tasks with penalties after recent victories.
Echua (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Soon tracked leaders, ridden into 2nd before straight, led 2 out, soon clear, slight peck last, stayed on well run-in, very easily, won at Roscommon 2m mdn hdl gf in Jun beating Flying Ensign (11-0) by 8l, 17 ran.
Gracchus (USA) 4-1 (11-2) Soon tracked leaders in 4th, headway 3 out, led 2 out, joined last, rallied to regain lead near finish, won at Tipperary 2m 4yo mdn hdl gf in Jun beating Ixora (10-11) by hd, 20 ran.
Jerry's Agent (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd approaching 3 out, under pressure before next where badly hampered and unseated rider, in a race won by Gimli's Rock (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Fingal Rock (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Towards rear, some headway in 6th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Barizan (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Baltic Wells (FR) Ballingarry gelding out of Helvetic Melody.
Blue Ridge Lane (IRE) 10-1 (8-1) Mid-division on outer, weakened approaching straight, last of 14, 21l behind Avanti Albert (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f Ext hcp pol in Nov (flat).
Chipolini (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Rear and keen hold, 5th approaching 4th, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened, last of 6, 26l behind Saponara (10-9) at Down Royal 2m 4yo hdl gf in May.
Echo Breeze (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, no impression from 4 out, last of 10, 50l behind Otterstown Lady (11-4) at Wexford 2m nh nov hdl gd in Jun.
Hail Caesar (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Settled 6th, close up 3 out, 4th and ridden 2 out, moderate 3rd before last, left 2nd and no further impression, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Politeo (10-9) at Thurles 2m 4yo hdl sft in Jan.
Latin Connection (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 38l behind Fearnwood Girl (10-8) at Sligo 2m mdn hdl gd in May.
Mathaaq 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 9th before 4 out, no extra 3 out, soon eased, 9th of 20, well behind Gracchus (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4yo mdn hdl gf in Jun.
Flying Bella 20-1 (10-0) In touch towards rear, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent 6th, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 17l behind Dorabelle (10-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jun.
Fearnwood Girl (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Mid-division, moderate 10th approaching 3 out, 7th after next, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 8th of 16, 14l behind Gudnis Gracious Me (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in May.
Dactik (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Towards rear, no danger approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, 31l behind Cabernet Sauvignon (11-2) at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Jun.
Scottish Affair 12-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 30l behind The Last Don (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul '09 (flat).
Miss Al Gunn (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, no impression straight, 11th of 23, 3 1/2l behind Ransomed Bride (9-6) at Navan 1m 2f hcp 60-80 gs in Oct (flat).
