chased leaders in 3rd, left 2nd last, ridden and no impression leader run-in, kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd, ridden after 2 out, pressed leader when left in lead last, kept on well under pressure run-in
led, ridden after 2 out, 1 length advantage when fell last
held up in 4th, ridden 3 out, soon no extra in last, left moderate 4th last
held up in last, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no extra when left 3rd last and slightly hampered, kept on same pace
A small but select field in which the classy JUMBO RIO, a regular competitor in Grade 1's before falling in France on his latest start in June, can get back on the winning trail. He had four lengths to spare when landing the Champion Four Year Old Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last May from today's rival Mourad but the latter will be suited by the likely heavy ground and can get closer. Aitmatov was well behind Mourad at Fairyhouse in April but at least has fitness on his side having finished runner-up to Donna's Palm at Tipperary before scoring at Punchestown. Another Grade 1 winner, Oscar Dan Dan, always gives his best and is likely to be contesting the big staying races later in the season.
Jumbo Rio (IRE) (10-3) 98th of 9, well behind Mandali (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 3m 1f hdl sft in Jun.
Oscar Dan Dan (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden in 9th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 13, 8l behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Aitmatov (GER) 4-6fav (11-10) Made most, briefly headed and ridden 2 out, regained lead before last, stayed on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m hdl gd in Oct beating Leblon (11-1) by 3l, 4 ran.
Baron De Feypo (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Never a factor, last of 6, 6l behind Shakervilz (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Dec '08.
Moskova (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear,, hampered 10th, headway after 6 out, 5th next, slight mistake 4 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bluesea Cracker (10-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy in Apr, 26 ran.
Mourad (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, close 3rd 2 out, ridden entering straight, 2nd and challenged before last, no extra from last, kept on same pace, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
