led, slight mistake 3rd, ridden 2 out, headed and dropped to 3rd at last, no extra run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along before 2 out, ridden in close 2nd at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, close 3rd 2 out, soon pushed along and headway to lead narrowly at last, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
held up in last, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
held up in 4th, ridden and no impression on leaders in moderate 4th 4 out, never a factor
Gordon Elliott looks to have the answer to this. Count Simon had been in fine form over hurdles before making a successful start over fences with a comfortable victory at Punchestown but has to concede 7lb to stable companion MAKE MY HEART FLY. The latter, who completed a four-timer over fences last summer, would have made a winning start over fences but for falling two out at Downpatrick, can come out on top with only Macgiloney likely to provide much of a threat on his chasing bow.
Count Simon (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th at 4th, slightly impeded 9th, closed up approaching 4 out, on terms before 3 out, pushed along approaching straight, led after 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Punchestown 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Jun beating The Big Lense (11-12) by 4 1/4l, 11 ran.
Macgiloney (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Soon mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, closed up 8th, soon pushed along, mistake last, one pace, 5th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Stacks Mountain (11-2) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding in Jun.
Make My Heart Fly (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight bump 1st, soon moderate 3rd, closer after 4 out, challenged entering straight, disputed 3 out, pushed along to lead before 2 out, 2-length advantage when fell 2 out, at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Jun.
Artic Quest (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, moderate 5th halfway, no impression before 4 out and slight mistake 3 out, no extra, kept on one pace from next, 6th of 11, dist behind Effernock Fizz (10-10) at Wexford 2m gd in Jun.
Hague Convention (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on into 6th 2 out, no impression from last, kept on same pace, 6th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Convara (11-4) at Down Royal 2m mdn Yielding in Jun.
