not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, headway to lead 6th, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly flat, kept on towards finish
held up in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading pair
led, headed when mistake 6th, soon lost place, tailed off 3 out
held up, headway 6th, went 2nd 3 out, upside next, ridden and stayed on to lead narrowly flat, held on towards finish
held up, headway and effort 3 out, kept on same place approaching next, no impression
tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, reminders 2nd, lost place halfway, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
behind, reminders 4th, headway under pressure 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th and beaten when mistake last
ICE WARRIOR should take all the beating here with Leamington Lad the obvious one for the forecast; Tir Gra may be best of the rest. Tom Taaffe and Tony McCoy have reasonable claims in the opening contest but it's hard to look beyond their charge here with opposition thin on the ground. Ice Warrior ran out a clearcut winner of a Fairyhouse maiden before coming up short in a novice contest at Galway but he should prove too good for these rivals. Leamington Lad has ability but he has proved frustrating on the track, taking a long time to get his head in front. He's turned that around to some extent with two victories in his last four starts but may well have to settle for minor honours once again. None of the remainder make any appeal but the Thorpe/Johnson combination is a respected one and Tir Gra should be monitored for support. He has shown little in points though and it's difficult to envisage him getting the better of Ice Warrior.
Ice Warrior (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra straight, 5th of 13, 7l behind Define (11-9) at Galway 2m 4f nov hdl gd in Jul.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden to chase winner when mistake 3 out, no impression from 2 out, mistake last, 2nd of 13, 11l behind William Butler (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Bulberry Hill 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 46l behind Casual Garcia (8-9) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Tir Gra (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Lost tch 11; t.o & pulled up in race won by Mister Kay Bee (12-0) at Cold Harbour 3m ptp gd in May, 11 ran.
Top Official (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, headway halfway, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Solway Bee (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 40-1 (10-4) Always behind, 5th of 8, 47l behind Shore Thing (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Fortuitous (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Chased leader until after 2nd, not fluent next, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Dancewiththedevil (11-0) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Roman Bury 125-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden 4th, always behind, 7th of 12, well behind Thats Confidential (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
