chased leaders on outer, on terms 4th, led 8th, joined 3 out, pushed along before next where slight mistake, soon ridden, mistake and headed last, no impression, kept on same pace
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, 5th when mistake 4 out, pushed along when slight mistake next, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace
led, mistake 1st, joined 4th, headed 6th, slight mistake next, lost place 8th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, pecked 3rd, 4th 4 out, pushed along next, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in touch, slight mistake 4th, slight mistake 8th, soon pushed along and dropped to rear, slow 9th, no extra and pulled up before next
prominent, mistake 4th, soon lost place and mistake next, slow and pushed along in rear 6th, headway again to 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, on terms 4th, headed 8th, slight mistake 4 out, on terms 3 out, pushed along before next where slight mistake and pecked, soon ridden, led last, stayed on well
held up towards rear, moderate 6th 4 out, moderate 4th 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd at last, kept on one pace
held up in rear, mistake and rider briefly lost iron 7th, short of room and hampered before next where not fluent, 7th 4 out, ridden and no extra from next
Winter Escape is smart on his day having won two Grade 3 races over fences and this contest a year ago from today's mark. He can make a bold bid again while Rippon Lodge looks certain to attract support after gaining his second victory of the summer at Sligo where he had plenty in hand. Andalusa was badly impeded by a faller when seven lengths behind Espion Du Chenet at Killarney so should get much closer to the winner while Bold Emperor makes his handicap debut over fences having made all in a beginners' chase at Sligo. Benefit Run finished a close second in a better race than this at Galway then fell at the last when challenging at Sligo last week. If none the worse he can get into the frame though ZARKAREVA, who was a very close third in that Galway contest, can turn the tables at the revised weights and land this.
Zarkareva (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Held up early, mid-division halfway, progress to chase leaders before 2 out, ridden in 5th after last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 20, 1 3/4l behind Abbey Magic (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Andalusa (FR) 3-1jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along when hampered 2 out, no impression when slight mistake last, no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Espion Du Chenet (10-2) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Aug.
An Fraoch Mor (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost position and pushed along after 8th, soon weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Benefit Run (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, rear of mid-division 3 out, good headway on outer after next, challenged when fell last, at Sligo 2m 1f hcp gd in Sep.
Zoffalee (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out and closer next, ridden and no impression on winner early run-in, 3rd final 100 yards, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Breakeven (12-0) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Sep.
Bold Emperor (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Soon led, slight mistake 7th, extended lead to 4 lengths 5 out, reduced advantage before 2 out, soon pushed along and strongly pressed before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Sligo 2m 4f gd in Sep beating Rebel Waltz (12-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Defan 40-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outer, not fluent at 1st and mistake 4th, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, 4th at last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Downthecellar (11-12) at Tramore 1m 7f gd in Aug.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, some headway in 5th 5 out, pushed along after 2 out, left 4th and badly hampered last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Grange Walk (11-5) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp gd in Sep.
Rippon Lodge (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Towards rear early, 3rd halfway, moderate 2nd 4 out, closer 2 out, travelled well and led last, soon clear, pushed out and kept on well, won at Sligo 2m 1f hcp gd in Sep beating Bentham (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 5 ran.
Winter Escape (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Rear, progress to 4th 4 out, improved to 3rd 3 out, no impression on winner before last, one paced run-in, 3rd of 5, 11 3/4l behind Ballyoisin (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f gd in Aug.
