tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute 4 out, pushed along and headed after 2 out, no extra in 5th and slight mistake last
always towards rear, never a factor, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, reminder in rear after 4 out, no impression in 8th and not fluent 2 out, no extra
prominent and led 1st, joined 4 out, pushed along after 2 out and headed early straight, no impression in 3rd before last, no extra
held up, 7th halfway, good progress on outer after 2 out to lead early straight, asserted run-in and stayed on well, comfortably
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, mistake 3 out, no extra in rear next, weakened, completely tailed off
led early, tracked leader, not fluent 4th, 4th halfway, 6th 2 out and no extra approaching last where mistake
mid-division, not fluent 4th, 5th halfway, progress before 3 out and pushed along to challenge approaching last, no impression on winner run-in
mid-division, 6th halfway, 4th 2 out and no impression approaching last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th and pecked badly 2 out, no extra
Belclare Boy had 16 runs on the Flat without winning though he did show some improvement during the summer and on his second start over hurdles at Gowran last month. Criminate cost 150,000 euros and though beaten a long way on his debut in a bumper here is likely to do very much better now tackling obstacles. Top Othe Ra hasn't been seen since landing a Galway bumper over three years ago so the market may prove the best guide to his chances but this can go to VENEZIA. Michael Halford's grey won only once on the level but generally raced in decent handicaps and made a highly encouraging debut over timber in a huge field at Navan where he would have finished closer had he not stumbled on landing at the third last. Labaik has had a chequered career having refused to race the last twice on the Flat but Gordon Elliott should get the best out of him.
Belclare Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) In rear, headway into 10th 3 out, improved into 3rd and ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 6 1/2l behind Mr Antolini (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Sep.
Book Of Love (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Held up, 18th after 3rd, some headway but no impression when not fluent 2 out, one pace, 14th of 30, 32l behind Our Boy Boru (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Sep.
Criminate (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Soon raced in 5th, pushed along in 4th over 3f out, dropped to moderate 5th before straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 25l behind Gunnery Sergeant (11-10) at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct.
Labaik (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Refused to race, at Laytown 7f mdn pol in Sep.
Lyreen Des Pres (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, slight mistake 6th, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out, at Wexford 2m 4f mdn gd in Oct.
Simply Gooch (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Prominent, a little keen, 6th at 6th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 13th of 18, dist behind Blood Crazed Tiger (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn gd in Oct.
Top Othe Ra (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Always prominent, improved to dispute lead 3f out, ridden to lead entering straight, stayed on well final furlong, won at Galway 2m Good - Yielding in Aug beating Film Director (12-0) by 6l, 14 ran.
Venezia (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 11th after 3rd, headway and slight mistake 3 out, 3rd and slight mistake last, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 30, 2 1/2l behind Our Boy Boru (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Sep.
Phoenix Twist (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Chased leaders on outer, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and no impression straight, 7th of 16, 9 3/4l behind Nicaragua (9-10) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
Seafield Fox (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, 9th 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 16, 20l behind Mr Antolini (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Sep.
