reluctant to line up, slowly into stride and always towards rear, trailing 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders in 3rd, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no impression on leaders
tracked leaders, jumped left at times, moderate 4th halfway, ridden 5 out, under pressure in 5th next, left moderate 4th 3 out, no impression
slowly into stride and held up in rear, some progress into 4th 4 out, disputing 4th when fell next
tracked leader in 2nd, moderate 2nd halfway, closer 2nd 3 out, ridden next, stayed on well under hands and heels to lead close home, cheekily
led, clear from 4th, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden from next, headed and no extra close home
CLOSE REVIEW is generally consistent at this sort of level and is just 3lb higher than when beating a huge field over slightly further here in June. He ran well over a trip too short last time and can return to winning ways. Love Rory has won here twice though both times over 3m and he may find this on the short side while Sean Airgead is better handicapped over hurdles. Elegant Statesman has been beaten at short prices in his last three races and probably needs to drop further in the weights and though Old Supporter is consistent he's still 8lb higher than his last success a year ago.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 1st, mistake 2nd, led from 7th, headed entering straight, soon ridden, dropped to last 2 out, behind when bad mistake at last, last of 3, 32l behind Nearly Nama'd (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f chs gf in Sep.
Love Rory (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 2nd/3rd throughout, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, slight mistake next, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Sammy Black (10-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp chs gd in May.
Sean Airgead (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden from 4 out, moderate 5th next, left moderate 4th 2 out, soon moderate 5th, 4th when left 3rd early run-in, no extra, 3rd of 10, 14l behind He's Our Man (11-4) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp chs gd.
Churchfield Champ (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden from 4 out, soon no impression, 6th of 10, 28l behind He's Our Man (11-4) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp chs gd.
Elegant Statesman (IRE) 13-8fav (10-2) Chased leaders, pushed along briefly 6th, moderate 3rd 5 out, pushed along from 3 out, dropped to last into straight, no extra and eased closing stages, 6th of 7, 19l behind Coldstonesober (9-12) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Sep.
Old Supporter (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led, joined 3 out, led again approaching straight, ridden and edged left run-in, kept on well, headed near line, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Massinis Adventure (9-10) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 gf.
The Lady Granuaile (USA) 10-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 7th approaching straight, kept on one pace from 2 out, 7th of 8, 23l behind Dushrembrandt (10-11) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs gd in Sep.
Close Review (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, 8th halfway, mistake 5 out, improved into 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Obispo (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp chs 0-109 gd.
