led, hit 5th, headed approaching 2 out, jumped right last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, hampered last, kept on one pace
held up mid-division on outer, headway to track leaders approaching 7th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, edged left after last, kept on
held up towards rear, not much room on inner before 3 out, soon switched left and headway, not fluent last, kept on well towards finish
tracked leaders, switched left approaching 2 out, every chance when hit last, kept on, lost 2nd near finish
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after last
tracked leader, pushed along and lost place before 3 out
held up towards rear and keen, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
held up behind and keen, pushed along after 4 out, headway approaching next to chase leaders, no extra after last
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, hit last, kept on same pace, no impression
There's no doubting that this is a competitive contest for the money on offer and it might be worth chancing COOL OPERATOR. Howard Johnson is among the winners and although his seven-year-old is only 5lb better off with Cocoa Key for being over 12 lengths behind him at Carlisle last time, the return to this trip and good ground may see a much better effort. Pyracantha is now 2lb better with Cocoa Key for a half-length deficit in that same race, so has to be feared, while course and distance winner Grandad Bill is weighted to be very competitive. Almanyan does not look to have come out well at the English ratings compared to his form in Ireland but is used to the hustle and bustle and conditions and trip suit, so he is still entitled to a place on short-lists.
Strongpoint (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led until blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Loosen My Load (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) gd in Oct, 4 ran.
Grandad Bill (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) With leader, hit 7th, pushed along after next, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, 28l behind Andytown (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
Pyracantha 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, every chance approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Cocoa Key (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
Cool Operator 10-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway from 3 out, one pace, 5th of 13, 12l behind Cocoa Key (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
Cailin Na Ri (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Led narrowly to 8th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Corso Palladio (11-0) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct, 17 ran.
Almanyan (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2 out, kept on same pace straight, 3rd of 22, 2 3/4l behind Fool's Wildcat (10-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Oct.
Benmadigan (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, in 4th 2 out, ridden and no impression from last, 4th of 14, 11l behind Grand Diamond (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Regent's Secret (USA) 20-1 (9-9) Behind, outpaced after 4 out, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 25l behind Nearby (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
Barron Watlass (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after last, one pace, 5th of 11, 11l behind Twentynineblack (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Cocoa Key (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear and keen, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Oct beating Pyracantha (11-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Farmers Cross (IRE) 22-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 12, 41l behind Maska Pony (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
