chased leader, disputed 2nd, ridden in 3rd before straight, stayed on well from last to lead close home
led, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on under pressure, headed close home, just held 2nd
held up in rear, keen hold, ridden before 2 out, no impression before last
chased leader, disputed 2nd, ridden before straight, stayed on to challenge 2 out, kept on from before last, no extra close home, just held for 2nd
GIMLI'S ROCK is a cracking hurdler at his best and had Son Amix, Politeo and Sounds Of Jupiter behind when scoring comfortably at Punchestown in April. He ran a very rare poor race at Listowel last time and though penalised here he can get back to normal and take this nice prize. Having fallen twice in three starts over timber, Sweet My Lord hardly looks a safe option but Willie Mullins holds him in high regard and he will have sorted out his jumping during the summer. Cross Appeal has plenty of potential and warmed up for this with a fine run on the level at Navan on Wednesday.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 9th of 15, 42l behind Sword Fish (9-11) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Cross Appeal (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden in moderate 6th 3 out, no impression, 6th of 15, 18l behind Sword Fish (9-11) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Sounds of Jupiter (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, progress before 2 out, moderate 5th into straight, soon no impression, 5th of 18, 23l behind Gimli's Rock (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr.
Flying Bella 6-1 (10-11) Settled 4th, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd 4 out, no extra under pressure from before 2 out, 5th of 6, 19l behind Imperial Shabra (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f nh nov hdl gf in Aug.
Politeo (FR) 14-1 (9-11) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Sword Fish (9-11) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Son Amix (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, closer in 4th approaching 3 out where slight mistake, ridden in moderate 3rd into straight, soon 4th and no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 10l behind Gimli's Rock (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr.
Sweet My Lord (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, fell 4th, in a race won by Barizan (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Topix (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Chased leader, dropped to moderate 3rd approaching 5 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Steeltown (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov hdl in Sep.
Sanforized (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed 3 1/2f out, no extra in 6th 2f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 18, 26l behind Noble Galileo (9-7) at Galway 1m 4f hcp 0-90 hvy in Oct '09 (flat).
