raced in 3rd, badly hampered 3rd, 4th before 4 out, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, ridden in 4th after last, no impression and went 3rd close home
mid-division and not fluent 1st and 2nd, 7th before 4 out, not fluent next and no impression from 2 out
chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 1st, jumped right 2nd, again jumped right 3rd where bad mistake, slow jump 4th, still 2nd when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division and 5th before 4 out, not fluent next and soon improved to take closer order in 2nd, pushed along after 2 out and ridden to lead after last, headed inside final 150 yards and kept on same pace close home
mid-division, closer in 3rd before 4 out and soon left 2nd, led after 3 out, ridden and pressed after last, soon headed, no extra and dropped to 4th close home
raced in rear, not fluent 1st, jumped left 2nd, detached from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division and 6th before 4 out, took closer order in 3rd before 2 out, pushed along before last and ridden to challenge run-in, lead inside final 150 yards and kept on well close home
led, pressed before 3 out and soon headed, no extra in 5th before last, dropped to 6th run-in
raced in 8th, dropped to rear and eased after 4 out, pulled up before next
Captain Bocelli has a penalty for his debut success in a Market Rasen bumper when trained in the UK. Now with Gordon Elliott, he has his first start over timber after a 10-month break though that isn't normally a concern for one from his yard. RUSSELLSTOWN was a poor point-to-pointer but he's done much better over hurdles and hasn't been beaten far in any of his four starts. His latest close third at Clonmel was a good performance and he can make his fitness and weight advantage count. Little Stampy, four times a winner on the Flat, has had seven starts over timber and gone close on a couple of occasions so it will be a surprise if she's not concerned in the finish. Foxearth has had a couple of bumper runs and will be ready for his hurdling debut while Noel Meade's newcomer Mahler Ten is a half-brother to the very useful jumper Native River.
Captain Bocelli (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Soon in touch on outside, went 2nd at 4th, led before 6th, driven after 2 out, 1 length clear when not fluent last, ridden and headed narrowly flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Poulanassy (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Little Stampy (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Mid-division, 9th entering straight, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Grey Sky Blue (10-0) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Sep.
Bien Chase (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, held up, soon raced in 9th, 10th from 3f out, one pace, 10th of 12, 19l behind Bantry Bay (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f mdn gd in May.
Foxearth (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 4th under 2f out, 5th and no extra final furlong, 5th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Copernicus (11-9) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Russellstown (IRE) 9-2cfav (11-4) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden into 5th entering straight, stayed on in 4th 2 out, 3rd last and kept on well run-in, pressed leaders close home, 3rd of 18, at Clonmel 2m 1f mdn gd in Sep.
Dromore Lad (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Mini Karinga.
Mahler Ten (IRE) Mahler gelding out of Native Mo.
Christening Spoon (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Towards rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5 out and closer in 6th before next, pushed along in 7th from 2 out, no impression in 5th before last, 5th of 11, 19 1/2l behind Double Take (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn gd in Sep.
More Information (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, under pressure from 5f out, soon no danger, no extra and eased under 2f out, 10th of 13, dist behind Dr Mikey (12-0) at Cork 2m gd in Aug.
