chased leader in 2nd, injured and slipped up approaching halfway
held up early, improved to 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra before next
held up, 6th halfway, ridden 2 out, soon no impression
settled behind leaders, improved to 3rd halfway, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to dispute before last, led last, kept on well under pressure run-in
always towards rear, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened
led, ridden and challenged entering straight, headed before last, no extra and kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, hampered approaching halfway and dropped towards rear, headway in 5th 2 out, 4th travelling well entering straight, disputed before last, ridden in 2nd last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, left 2nd approaching halfway, ridden after 2 out, challenged entering straight, disputed before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace
El Mondo is the interesting one here as the dual winning hurdler in France fell while in the lead on his only start for Nicky Henderson last December. He makes his handicap debut from what could prove to be a very lenient mark and is definitely one to note in the betting. Shesonlyahorse has had four quick races and though running well that busy campaign may take its toll so it's MAXIM GORKY who gets the nod. Noel Meade's charge won a Gowran maiden before a cracking effort behind Galway specialist Kalellshan at this year's Festival and with a nice break behind him he looks the one to be on. Beef To The Heels has to be a big threat as he won a very tough Down Royal handicap earlier this month and a 6lb rise is cancelled out by his rider's claim.
Saludos (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Made all, jumped well in the main, still travelling well when left clear 2 out, only had to jump last after, won at Thurles 2m 2f chs 0-145 in Mar beating Kilflora (11-0) by 23l, 5 ran.
Sportsmaster (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Not fluent jumping, towards rear, brought down 5th, in a race won by Beef To The Heels (9-3) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-150 gs, 13 ran.
Dul Ar An Ol (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Vast Consumption (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr, 16 ran.
Beef To The Heels (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, challenged and on terms from 2 out, soon led, pressed and stayed on well from before last, won at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-150 gs beating Thomas Edison (10-6) by 4l, 13 ran.
El Mondo (FR) 4-7fav (11-0) Pulled hard, jumped right, led, clear from 4th, 15 lengths ahead when mistake 3 out, only 1 1/2 lengths up and looking vulnerable when fell 2 out, in a race won by George Nympton (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 4 ran.
Wrekin Rock (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Burrenbridge Lodge (11-5) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Maxim Gorky (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th after 3 out, ridden and went 2nd from next, kept on same pace without reaching winner straight, 2nd of 20, 5l behind Kalellshan (11-5) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Jul.
Knocklong (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th entering straight, no extra from 2 out, weakened, 7th of 11, 18l behind Back In A Tic (10-7) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Oct.
Shesonlyahorse (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 2nd halfway and led 3 out, strongly pressed and headed 2 out, no chance with winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Dont Tell Pa (11-5) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-102 hvy.
Clashnabrook (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, no impression under pressure from after 2 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 16l behind Coole Avenue (11-2) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Oct.
